**Eight Warning Signs You Might Be Prediabetic and Steps to Reverse It**
Prediabetes, a health condition often lurking undetected, is gaining increased attention across the UK as rising numbers of individuals are diagnosed each year. While type 2 diabetes is already a major public health concern, prediabetes sits one step before it, offering a vital window in which lifestyle adjustments can avert the progression to full-blown diabetes.
Prediabetes, also known in medical circles as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, occurs when blood sugar levels are elevated above the normal range but haven’t yet reached the threshold for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Though the exact reasons some people develop prediabetes remain unclear, current research points to a combination of genetic factors and family history as significant contributors to risk.
A major complication in tackling prediabetes is its tendency to develop without obvious symptoms. For many, the condition can silently escalate until more severe and harder-to-treat diabetes arises. However, health experts highlight a number of warning signals that could suggest trouble ahead with your blood sugar.
The Mayo Clinic has identified several physical signs that could be indicative of prediabetes. Among them are persistent thirst and frequent urination, as persistently high blood sugar forces the kidneys into overdrive. Fatigue is another commonly reported symptom, attributed to fluctuations in glucose levels disrupting the body’s energy supply. Blurred vision and inexplicable hunger – medically referred to as polyphagia – may also occur as a result of unstable sugar levels.
Unusual weight loss, where pounds seem to drop off without dietary changes, can sometimes point to prediabetes at work. Physical injuries like cuts and wounds that are noticeably slow to heal may reflect the damaging effects of high sugar on nerves and blood vessels, impairing normal circulation. Some individuals notice dark patches of skin, particularly in body folds such as the neck, armpits, or groin, or develop multiple skin tags, which are small harmless growths but can signal higher risk of diabetes.
Despite these telltale signs, diagnosis of prediabetes can only be reliably made via a blood test performed by a healthcare professional. For adults aged between 40 and 74, the NHS Health Check includes a diabetes risk screening and is available every five years. Those in this age group are strongly encouraged to take up the assessment if they haven’t already done so, as early detection can make a significant difference in outcomes.
Once prediabetes is identified, medical authorities and charities like Diabetes UK stress that it is far from a life sentence. With earnest efforts, many people are able to halt or even reverse its course. This typically involves implementing a series of lifestyle changes: losing excess weight, eating a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains, staying physically active, drinking sufficient water, and getting quality sleep. Reducing alcohol intake and giving up smoking, for those affected, are also highly recommended.
Careful dietary management is essential in controlling blood sugar. Doctors advise cutting back on foods high in added sugars, like sweetened drinks, cakes, and sweets, as well as limiting portions of refined carbohydrates, such as white bread or white rice. Aimed at stabilising glucose, increasing dietary fibre – with a goal of 25 to 30 grams daily – further helps manage risk, alongside reducing saturated fat by favoured lean proteins and low-fat dairy.
The cost of diabetes to the NHS is substantial, amounting to over £10 billion yearly, with almost 80% of that dedicated to treating complications, rather than prevention. Achieving what is known as ‘type 2 diabetes remission’ – where blood sugar normalises without the need for ongoing medication – is an outcome more patients and healthcare providers seek.
Finally, it is important to understand the distinction between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder resulting in little or no insulin production, whereas type 2 involves the body’s resistance to insulin combined with insufficient hormone output. Both lead to elevated blood sugar levels, but their roots and treatments differ considerably.
Anyone concerned about their risk should consult the NHS or visit the Diabetes UK website, which offers practical advice and support for those at risk. With early intervention and committed lifestyle changes, prediabetes can be effectively tackled, lessening the burden both for individuals and the health system.