Everyone Knows About Diabetes! But Here Is What You Need To Know About Prediabetes & Its Symptoms

There are several signs of prediabetes that you need to be aware of. Read this article to find out more on this.

By Sravia Sivaram

Monday, April 17, 2017, 18:26

Type 2 diabetes has been on an alarming rise during the recent times. Prediabetes, which is its lesser known sibling, is also on the rise.

About 90% of the people who do not have prediabetes do not know that they have it. This is a problem because only if you know you have it, can you make some changes to your lifestyle to wipe off this disease.

Prediabetes is a borderline condition in which the blood sugar is consistently high, but is not high enough to be considered as diabetes.

The simplest way to know if you have prediabetes is to go in for a blood test. This test determines the percentage of glucose that is attached to the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin in the blood.

Experts recommend that everyone aged 45 years or above need to get their blood sugar level checked regularly. You might have to get it tested earlier if you're overweight, have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or have a family history of diabetes. This article will let you know what are the signs of prediabetes.

Also read: 12 Ways Your Body Is Trying To Tell You That Your Liver Is Being Damaged

In this article, we have listed some of the top signs of prediabetes that you need to be aware of. Continue reading to know more about the common symptoms of prediabetes.

1. Shiny, Scaly Patches On The Skin:

If you're a prediabetic, then you'll have patches of reddish, brown or yellowish skin called necrobiosis lipodica. Th skin will have a shiny, scaly appearance and also with visible blood vessels.

2. Gout:

This is type of arthritis that forms when the uric acid buildup in the body is high and it forms crystals in the joints, tendons and bones. People who have this are more likely to develop diabetes. This is one of the common symptoms of prediabetes.

3. Thickened Skin:

If your skin feels tight or waxy, then this is a sign of digital sclerosis. It starts with the fingers or toes and spreads to the entire body.

4. Hair Loss:

Hair loss can also be associated with insulin resistance. This is the hallmark of prediabetes as well as type 2 diabetes.

5. Extreme Fatigue:

It is not normal to constantly feel tired all day long. This might be due to insulin resistance, because if sugars in the bloodstream is not going into the cells for energy, then it could cause the condition of prediabetes. This is one of the top signs of prediabetes.

What You Can Do About It:

If you come to know that you're diagnosed with prediabetes, then do not panic. You can do your best not to get into the category of people affected by diabetes. Making exercise your priority and having foods like vegetables, fish, legumes and healthy fats will help.