Prediabetes is not a type of diabetes but a condition whereby blood glucose levels are higher than average but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. In the U.S., approximately 98 million adults have prediabetic conditions. In addition, more than 80% of individuals with prediabetes usually do not know they have the condition. Having prediabetes raises the risk of an individual eventually having type 2 diabetes as well as heart disease and stroke.
Risk factors for prediabetes may include the following:
- Being overweight and being 45 years or older
- Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
- Being physically active less than three times a week
- Having had gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome ( a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with cysts on outer edges)
The cause of prediabetes is similar to the cause of type 2 diabetes, in which the cells of the body do not respond typically to insulin (insulin resistance). There are no clear-cut symptoms until the condition develops into type 2 diabetes. Treatment for prediabetes often depends on the severity of the condition. However, treatment is typically geared toward reversing the condition using a combination of lifestyle changes such as eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, losing weight, and possibly using medicine to control blood glucose levels.
