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At the beginning, there are subtle disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism that are difficult to detect by research. After that, the glucose level only rises in the morning or only after a meal. The body slowly begins to lose its balance and sugar constantly fluctuates around the upper limit of the norm or slightly exceeds it. So is there anything to worry about? Yes, because even such a small but constant increase in glucose in the peripheral blood is harmful to the blood vessels and peripheral nerves.
- Pre-diabetes means that the body is becoming less and less able to metabolize carbohydrates – this is not diabetes yet, but a clear signal that the disease is on the threshold
- In addition, usually nothing foreshadows her, although sometimes there are quite discreet signals, for example, lack of energy, daytime sleepiness, deterioration of well-being
- If pre-diabetes is detected quickly, we have a good chance of avoiding the development of type 2 diabetes and its serious complications.
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.
Our response is important, because what we do now determines our quality of life in the years to come. In addition, remember that the constantly elevated – even slightly – blood sugar level characteristic of pre-diabetes is the effect of permanent metabolic disorders and will not return to normal by itself! It requires our action and the help of a specialist.
The doctor determines the pre-diabetes condition on the basis of:
- fasting glucose tests, if the result is 100-125 mg / 100 ml;
- Oral glucose loading test, if two hours after glucose administration,
- its concentration in the blood is 140-199 mg / 100 ml.
Changing the norm
99 mg / dL is the limit for normal blood sugar. This result is not a symptom of an illness, but it may be a prognostic for it. A few years ago, the level of 110–120 mg / dl was considered correct. The norm was lowered to 99 mg / dl, because studies have shown that a constant sugar concentration above this value increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Sugar in the upper limit of the norm should awaken our vigilance and encourage us to analyze our diet and increase physical activity.
What is the glycemic curve?
It is also called the sugar curve. It gives more detailed information about how the body responds to the consumption of a large dose of simple carbohydrates and how it copes with the transport of glucose to the cells. You must come for the examination early in the morning and be on an empty stomach. This means that the last meal was eaten at least 12 hours earlier. It is also worth remembering that during the day preceding the test, you cannot consume alcohol and exercise intensively, it is also worth giving up smoking.
The test material is four blood samples taken from a vein over a period of approximately 3 hours. After taking the first one, the patient drinks glucose solution (75 g of glucose dissolved in 300 ml of water) in small sips. subsequent blood donations take place every hour. The patient spends this time in the waiting room, he cannot exert himself physically as it would interfere with the test results. Note: Many clinics require that you come for the test with your own pharmacy-bought glucose.
You usually get the result the next day. The correct sugar curve is when the blood sugar level is between 70 and 99 mg / dl after the first blood sample, and it does not exceed 140 mg / dl after the last blood sample. If, on the other hand, this result is between 140 and 199 mg / dl, there is a high probability of carbohydrate intolerance, which means pre-diabetes and poses a risk of developing diabetes.
Check to see if you are at risk of pre-diabetes
Answer the questions and count the answers a and b.
1. Which age group are you in?
a. Under 45 years of age.
b. Over 45 years of age.
2. How do you normally eat?
a. I try to eat meals with vegetables, rather avoid highly processed foods, including industrially produced sweets.
b. I have no habit of eating vegetables every day and / or drinking sweetened drinks and eating sweets at least several times a week.
3. What kind of lifestyle do you lead?
a. I do work that requires physical effort and / or spend a minimum of half an hour in motion several times a week: walking, exercising.
b. I do not work physically and play sports occasionally.
4. What is your BMI (body mass index, formula how to calculate it, is over 25.
a. Does not exceed 25.
b. Is greater than 25.
Questions for women only
5. Do you have polycystic ovary syndrome?
not.
b. Thank you.
6. Have you given birth to a child weighing more than 4 kg?
not.
b. Thank you.
Check if you have diabetes – diagnostic test package
Interpreting the result
Just one answer “a” means that you are at increased risk. This should prompt you to do a fasting blood glucose test. If there are more, you should also do a glucose load test.
Important: You can speak of pre-diabetes when, after two fasting tests (i.e. at least 8 hours after the last meal), it turns out that its level is between 100 and 125 mg.
Read also: More deaths from diabetes. “Caring for patients with diabetes in Poland requires urgent improvement”
You need to implement a rescue plan quickly
The first step is to change your diet and reduce your body weight. The diet should be varied, rich in vitamins and mineral salts. And what is very important: the proportions between protein, fats and carbohydrates should be kept. Carbohydrates can cover 50-60 percent. daily energy requirement, protein – 15-20 percent, and fats (visible and hidden in products) – 20-30 percent. Half of the protein should come from, for example, fish, cottage cheese, egg whites, at least half the fat from vegetable oils, and most carbohydrates from least processed products (e.g. vegetables, whole grain bread, thick groats).
Movement is as important as diet. Physical activity helps to maintain a proper body weight, which is extremely important in the case of pre-diabetes. Walking, swimming, skiing, volleyball or basketball are recommended. Gymnastics, jogging, aerobics and fast-paced walks work well every day. Physical effort must be regular. It is best to exercise at least 30-60 minutes a week at least three times a week. Exercises should start with the easier ones and end with calming ones. During exercise, you need to drink low-mineralized, non-carbonated water.
To reduce sugar consumption without giving up sweets, try Mercatare sweets available on Medonet Market. You will find here, among others Organic dark chocolate Torras 100g with goji and acai berries and flower pollen and sesame, Gummies without added Bonelle sugar and Digestive biscuits without added Florbu sugar.
It is possible that pharmacological treatment will be needed. Oral metformin tablets are usually used, but this is at the discretion of the treating physician. It is worth emphasizing, however, that drugs reduce the risk of diabetes by 30 percent, and the treatment aimed at adopting the habits that introduce exercise and a healthy diet – by as much as 53 percent! Pre-diabetes should be considered a serious warning. But you can also effectively prevent the development of diabetes or at least significantly delay its onset.
If you want to reduce your risk of diabetes, start drinking the herbal teas found in the Diabetes Kit. The kit includes:
- ecological tea recommended for diabetes,
- dietary supplement for diabetics in capsules,
- white mulberry leaf tea.
Read also: Diabetes is a challenge that overwhelms the system. The neglect is dramatic and the sick pay the highest price
Too much food, too little exercise
If we eat a lot and move little, the body’s energy reserves increase. We begin to gain weight, and tissues overloaded with fat react lazily to insulin. So the pancreas begins to produce more and more of it, but that doesn’t help – you develop insulin resistance. Blood glucose levels are consistently a little too high, which indicates pre-diabetes that can progress to diabetes. Start by making a few changes to your diet.
- Eat regularly every 3 hours. Ideally, it should be three main meals and two smaller meals – lunch, afternoon tea.
- Sugar, sweets (especially sweet drinks, cakes and biscuits produced industrially), minimize honey or give it up altogether.
- Add fresh vegetables to every meal, even in small amounts, for example: 2 leaves of lettuce, a chicory leaf, a few slices of cucumber or tomato, a teaspoon of chopped parsley or dill.
- Choose fruits with a lower fructose content, for example: cherries, strawberries, forest fruits, oranges, grapefruits, melons, kiwi fruit, fresh peaches and apricots, some types of apples (in summer, pulpwood, autumn and winter glosters).
- Cook groats, rice and pasta al dente – they should be semi-hard. Then the body breaks down the carbohydrates contained in them for a longer time.
- Take care of the variety of meals. They should provide all the nutrients: protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral salts.
- Try to lose weight. Weight reduction by as much as 5 percent. improves blood sugar levels and normalizes blood pressure.
- Avoid frying food. Bake in foil and on a wire rack, steam and stew with a minimum amount of fat.
- Don’t use animal fats and white bread too often. Limit the amount of salt.
- Use low-calorie substitutes. Use plain yogurt instead of cream and ham instead of sausage.
Excerpt from Iza Radecka’s book “Cukrzyca”