Diabetes, one of the most common diseases in our country and in the world, is a kind of chronic disease that can lead to many serious health problems from cardiovascular diseases to kidney diseases if not controlled.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes (hidden sugar) refers to the process in which blood sugar levels are above what they should be, but this level is not yet sufficient for a clear diagnosis of diabetes. This condition may also be termed as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose when determined by borderline diabetes and oral glucose tolerance test (sugar loading test) results. Almost all patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes go through the prediabetes stage before getting the disease. However, since the disease does not cause noticeable symptoms in this period, most of the patients do not feel the need to consult a physician. diabetes or the negative effects of diabetes on the eyes, kidneys, veins and heart can be prevented to a great extent. In patients in the prediabetes stage, there is sufficient insulin production by the pancreas in response to carbohydrates taken into the body with food.
However, the ability of the insulin hormone to remove circulating glucose from the blood has begun to decline. This condition is defined as insulin resistance and is the underlying problem of type 2 diabetes. If the disease is not noticed at this stage and the necessary precautions are not taken, insulin resistance worsens, high sugar in the blood affects the function of the pancreas negatively, and insulin production begins to decrease and diabetes occurs.
However, it is not correct to say that diabetes will definitely develop in patients diagnosed with prediabetes. In this period, diabetes can be prevented by taking precautions such as paying attention to the diet, paying attention to the drug treatment recommended by the physician, increasing physical activity, and reaching the ideal body mass. However, it is known that patients with prediabetes have a 5-15 times higher risk of developing diabetes compared to individuals with normal blood sugar levels.
What are the Symptoms of Prediabetes?
Diabetes and prediabetes problems are health problems that are very common in our country and in the world and have specific symptoms. The symptoms caused by prediabetes can be defined as the relieved symptoms of diabetes and are seen in almost all patients in similar ways. However, these symptoms are usually mild and subtle, and some patients may not experience any symptoms until diabetes is diagnosed. The most common symptoms in prediabetes include:
- Feeling thirsty and dry mouth
- Above normal water consumption (polydipsia)
- Frequent urination, urination at night Waking up frequently with the desire to wake up
- Blurred vision and loss of vision
- Constant tiredness
- Disorders of sleep patterns
- Feeling of sweet taste in the mouth
How to Diagnose Prediabetes?
Prediabetes The presence of diabetes and prediabetes can be easily diagnosed by performing some blood tests in the routine controls of patients who apply to health institutions with symptoms or individuals with a family history of diabetes. In patients who apply with various complaints about the disease, first of all, the patient's history is taken in detail. Concomitant diseases and diseases that are used continuously are learned. Diagnostic tests that may be requested by the physician afterward are as follows:
- Fasting blood glucose test: It is a diagnostic test applied in the form of investigating the plasma glucose level by taking a blood sample after 8 hours of fasting. In healthy individuals, fasting blood sugar is expected to be below 100 mg/dL. Fasting glucose in the range of 100-125 mg / dL is prediabetes, blood sugar of 126 mg / dL and above It is sufficient to diagnose diabetes.
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): In this test, which is also called sugar loading test, fasting blood glucose is measured first. Afterwards, the patient is given a liquid containing a certain level of sugar, and blood glucose is measured again 2 hours later. The postprandial blood sugar measured in this way is expected to be below 140 mg/dL in healthy individuals. If it is between 140-199 mg/dL, prediabetes can be diagnosed, and if it is 200 mg/dL or more, diabetes can be diagnosed. It causes hemoglobin, which is the cells of the cells, to combine with glucose. This is used to determine the average blood sugar for the last 2-3 months. Results from the HbA1C test give an approximate 3-month average of blood sugar. HbA1C test results are considered normal if they are 5.6% or less. If it is between 5.7% and 6.4%, prediabetes is diagnosed, and 6.5% or more is diagnosed as diabetes.
What are the Prediabetes Treatment Methods?
The most basic treatment of the disease is medical nutrition therapy. A diet in which simple carbohydrates are completely reduced, which includes complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and legumes, and whose carbohydrate distribution is balanced, should be prepared specifically for the patient by the dietitian and explained to the patient. The more fat tissue in the body, the more insulin resistance is triggered. For this reason, this nutrition plan should be prepared as a weight loss diet for patients who are overweight or above the obesity limit, and it should be aimed to reach the ideal weight of the person as soon as possible and healthy. In addition to the diet, doing sports should be made a habit by creating a regular exercise plan. Prescribed drugs should be used regularly and blood pressure levels should be kept under control. Medicines containing metformin and similar active ingredients may be recommended by the physician for patients who are likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and for whom diet alone does not show any benefit. These should be used regularly at the recommended time periods of the day.
Because diabetes is a progressive process, it is necessary to know the initial risk factors and to check the patients with these risks more frequently. In addition, when one or more of the prediabetes symptoms are felt, health institutions should be consulted without delay so that the necessary diagnostic tests can be performed.
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