Diabetes is not an alien term anymore. One in 11 adults in India is living with diabetes. Furthermore, if not managed properly, it is known to cause some serious complications such as heart and kidney diseases. On the contrary, not many people are aware of pre-diabetes, which precedes diabetes and if left unmanaged can lead to type 2 diabetes. Read on to learn more about pre-diabetes and what can be done to treat it.

What Is Pre-Diabetes?

Pre-diabetes is a serious health issue where your blood sugar levels consistently stay higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Those who suffer from pre-diabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Usually, pre-diabetes doesn't show any symptoms or signs. For this reason, it's essential to consult with a doctor right away if you are concerned about developing diabetes or experiencing any symptoms or signs of type 2 diabetes. You should also get your blood sugar level checked at regular intervals if you have any risk factors for diabetes, which include:

• Being overweight
• Not exercising enough
• Having a sibling or parent with type 2 diabetes
• Having diabetes during pregnancy
• Taking certain medications like antipsychotics, HIV medications and steroids
• Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• High cholesterol or blood pressure levels
• Sleep disorders like sleep apnoea
• Smoking
• Metabolic syndrome

When Does Pre-diabetes Progress To Diabetes?

People suffering from pre-diabetes have up to a 50% chance of getting diabetes during the next 5-10 years. It's worth remembering that not everyone with pre-diabetes develops diabetes. Around 25% of those with pre-diabetes develop diabetes over the short term of 3-5 years as they either fail to get diagnosed on time or do not maintain their blood sugar levels even after getting diagnosed. Fortunately, pre-diabetes can be reversed by making some healthy lifestyle changes.

What Can Be Done To Treat Pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes can be treated by making certain changes in your lifestyle. A Diabetes Prevention Program study showed a nearly 58% risk reduction in people who stuck to these changes over the long term. Those with pre-diabetes can reverse their condition and prevent type 2 diabetes by:

1. Modifying the diet

Research shows that taking a low-carb diet can improve your blood glucose levels, reduce your insulin resistance, and help shed some extra weight. Try including as many nutrient-rich whole foods in your diet as you can. Also, restrict the consumption of sugary beverages and highly processed food items. Incorporating food rich in fibre like leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grains, can prove to be quite helpful in treating pre-diabetes. 

2. Engaging in regular physical activity

You can also treat pre-diabetes and lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by exercising regularly. Engaging in any physical activity such as walking or jogging, that would increase your heart rate, for at least 30 minutes can prove to be good for your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), performing 30 minutes of physical activity every day and losing 5-7% of your body weight can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes progression by over 58%.

Other methods that may help reverse pre-diabetes include taking medications as prescribed by your doctor, quitting smoking and getting your cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control. Some people with pre-diabetes also opt for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments like taking supplements, acupuncture and meditation. However, it’s highly advisable to check with your doctor before beginning any CAM treatments as they can sometimes interact with your medication. If you need more information,

Consult Apollo's Expert Diabetologists

You can also try the Apollo 24|7 Diabetes Self-Management Tool to log your sugar values, track patterns, know all about food nutrition and more.

Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.