As a Health Screening Doctor, I am picking up pre-diabetes more and more in the over 40s; this condition doesn’t usually have any symptoms, and yet, if not picked up, it can have severe long term consequences.
WHAT IS PREDIABETES?
Prediabetes means that your blood sugars are higher than what they should be, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. People who develop type 2 diabetes usually have prediabetes first. Having pre-diabetes means that you are at a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES PREDIABETES PRESENT WITH?
Pre-diabetes does not usually present with any symptoms and therefore the only way to know whether you have it is to have a blood test called an Hba1c, which can be arranged via your doctor.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS TO DEVELOPING PREDIABETES?
There are several factors that increase your risk of getting prediabetes- these include:
Age over 40
African-Caribbean, Black African, or South Asian
If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes in your parent or sibling
Being overweight
If you had diabetes during pregnancy (called gestational diabetes) or had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth.
If you are a woman who has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Having prediabetes acts a ‘warning sign’ that that you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future, However, the good news is is that up to 50% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed, by eating a healthy diet low in refined carbohydrates, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly.
All our health screens test for pre-diabetes as well as a personalised management plan.
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