Prediabetes should be taken seriously.

Health can be fleeting.

Sometimes, sudden illness or injury can lead to a quick decline in health.

Other times, one health condition slowly triggers another.

According to a recent VeryWell Health article titled "What Is Prediabetes?" type 2 diabetes is often preceded by prediabetes.

Excessive thirst is one symptom of prediabetes.

What exactly is prediabetes?

It is a medical condition also known as impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance and involves how the body responds to insulin.

Although insulin production functions regularly, the body's cells are resistant to insulin and its effects.

This resistance leads to slightly elevated blood glucose levels and decreased energy.

In many cases, prediabetes has no symptoms.

When symptoms are present, they are mild and can mirror other health conditions.

Consequently, people may struggle to identify when the condition began.

What are common symptoms?

Fatigue, excessive hunger, excessive thirst, polyuria, and weight gain are all signs of prediabetes.

Although prediabetes can affect people at any age, it is most common in those between 40 and 60.

As a common precursor to type 2 diabetes, this condition can remain stable for several years before progressing to diabetes.

With diabetes, insulin production in the pancreas is impaired.

Insulin is essential to the body because it maintains blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

Why is type 2 diabetes concerning?

Diabetes can lead to other medical conditions and complications like cerebrovascular disease, heart disease, impaired wound healing, neuropathy, and vascular disease.

Yikes!

Is prediabetes associated with all forms of diabetes?

No.

Both diabetes insipidus and type 1 diabetes are not linked to the condition.

Diabetes insipidus specifically affects the kidneys, and type 1 diabetes tends to arise in childhood.

What causes prediabetes?

Although the cause is unknown, several risk factors have been identified.

Sedentary individuals who lack physical activity have a greater risk of the ailment.

High cholesterol levels, hypertension, excess body fat, and obesity are risk factors.

The distinction between whether these conditions cause or are the result of prediabetes is unclear at this time.

Those who have risk factors for diabetes should be regularly screened for the condition by their physician.

Reference: VeryWell Health (Jan. 31, 2023) "What Is Prediabetes?"