Do you have prediabetes? Here are 7 red flags you shouldn't ignore

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Just as the name suggests, pre-diabetes is a condition when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Though one in three adults have prediabetes as per the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 80 per cent of them don't even know that they have it due to its subtler signs and symptoms.

Prediabetes can be dangerous, as it puts the person at a higher risk for other serious health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. Even though there are no clear signs and symptoms of prediabetes, certainly there are some red flags that should not be overlooked. Following are a few signs and symptoms of prediabetes:

Frequent Urination: Kidneys produce urine to remove waste products and toxins from the body. High blood glucose levels force the kidneys to work harder and produce more urine to get rid of the excess glucose from the blood. As the urine production increases the frequency of urge for urination also increases.
Increased Thirst: With increased urine production and water excretion from the body, the sensation of thirst heightens to protect the body from dehydration. Thus, high blood sugar levels make the person feel more thirsty.
Dehydration: To dispose of excess glucose urine production increases and other fluids are pulled out from the tissues in our body. If the person does not drink enough water and only replaces electrolytes then his body may enter into a state of dehydration.
Increased hunger: Generally, body cells absorb glucose with the help of insulin to synthesise energy. When the cells do not respond to insulin and absorb enough glucose it triggers hunger and wants more food to suffice its need for glucose.
Unexplained weight loss: Prediabetes may often cause an increased sensation of hunger, yet can result in weight loss. The cells need glucose for energy, but due to insulin resistance, the need remains unfulfilled. The body then begins to use stored fat for energy which can result in weight loss.
Fatigue: when a person feels over-worked and faces difficulty in getting up and performing basic day-to-day tasks he could suffer from fatigue. Fatigue could be manifested due to numerous reasons but prediabetes could be one of the causes. Not getting enough sleep at night due to increased urination and cells not getting enough glucose for energy could be the possible link between pre-diabetes and fatigue.
Dark patches on skin: When the body becomes less responsive towards insulin, the pancreas produces more insulin and these high insulin levels could potentially cause skin discoloration like acanthosis nigricans which makes the skin thick and dark. Although these dark spots can be seen anywhere on the body they are mostly found on the neck, armpits and groin area.

"Prediabetes acts like a quiet signal, hinting at possible health problems in the future. By noticing its small signs early on, we can take action to prevent bigger issues. Making simple changes like eating better and staying active can help avoid diabetes. Small steps now can make a big difference later on." - Gopal Sharma, Director of Lifeness Science Institute

If you discover yourself having any of the above signs and symptoms then you must visit a doctor and get tested. Prediabetes does not mean that you will surely develop type 2 diabetes. An effective treatment plan that involves appropriate lifestyle changes, better food choices and improved physical activity can have a huge impact on delaying or preventing diabetes completely. Even small steps can have great outcomes, always remember with pre diabetes, ‘Action' is the best medicine.