A lot of the time people dont know they have it and are dangerously close to being a full blown diabetic. Impaired glucose tolerance, otherwise known as Prediabetes, affects about fifty-seven million people (age 20 and older) in the U.S. alone.
With pre-diabetes, your blood sugar level is higher than usual, but its not high enough to label diabetes. Doctors are finally realizing how important it is to diagnose prediabetes. Early detection and treatment may help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Most people with pre-diabetes do not have any symptoms. However, signs such as unusual thirst, blurred vision, extreme tiredness or fatigue and frequent urination are sure signs of pre-diabetes and should be checked out further.
Who should be tested for pre-diabetes?
* Anyone over the age of 45
* If you are overweight with a BMI (body mass index) over 25
* If diabetes runs in your family
* If you fall into a high risk ethnic group such as; Native Americans, African Americans, Pacific Islanders and Latinos
* If you have delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or have had gestational diabetes
* If you previously had and abnormal glucose (blood sugar) test
* If you have a health condition such as; high cholesterol, (high LDL, low HDL) hypertension and high triglycerides
* If you are inactive
How Is Pre-diabetes Determined?
In order for your doctor to determine if you have symptoms of pre-diabetes, one of two tests are done – fasting plasma glucose and oral glucose.
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) tests your blood sugar level after an 8 hour fasting period. This is where no food or liquid (other then water) is consumed for at least 8 hours. If your blood sugar level is abnormal after fasting for 8 hours, this means your body does not metabolize glucose correctly, making a possibility of diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is preformed on pregnant women to test for gestational diabetes. This test can be done at any time so there are no limitations.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, you need to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Diabetes is a killer disease. One that should not be messed around with, but can be handled with proper treatment.
If you do find out you’re diabetic, be sure to check your blood sugar often, or as advised by your doctor.
More information on Symptoms Of Pre-Diabetes along with many other subjects like Healthy Diabetic Foods List, Diabetes Symptoms and Signs In Youths And Adults, Diabetic Foot Care, Healthy Recipes For Diabetics And Nutritional Ideas can be found at diabeticcaloriediet.com