Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes
The most common symptoms of pre-diabetes include fatigue, increased thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, and slow wound healing. Other symptoms may include weight gain, dark patches on the skin, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Screening for Pre-Diabetes
Your doctor may use a blood test to screen for pre-diabetes. The test measures your blood sugar levels after you have fasted (not eaten) overnight. If your fasting blood sugar is higher than normal but not quite high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes, you may have pre-diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that all adults be tested for pre-diabetes every three years.
Risk Factors for Pre-Diabetes
There are certain risk factors that may increase your chances of developing pre-diabetes. These risk factors include being overweight or obese, having a family history of diabetes, being physically inactive, being over the age of 45, and having high blood pressure or high cholesterol. If you have any of the risk factors listed, it is important to talk to your doctor about getting tested for pre-diabetes.
Preventing Pre-Diabetes
The good news is that pre-diabetes is reversible. Making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and losing weight can help you prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes. It is also important to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and talk to your doctor about any changes.