Without an early diagnosis, pre-diabetes can advance in silence and increase the risk of other problems
Despite reach millions of BraziliansThe pre-diabetes is still little understood by most of the population. To get an idea, in 2018, a survey conducted by IbopeAt the request of Merck, he stressed that 42% of the country’s population was not aware of the picture and its consequences.
The condition is characterized by blood glucose levels above normal, but not yet enough to adapt as diabetes Type 2. The danger is precisely in the fact that pre-diabetes rarely has evident symptoms, which makes early diagnosis difficult.
How to know if I have pre-diabetes?
In order for a person to know if he lives with pre-diabetes, laboratory tests must be performed that indicate changes in glucose levels. The main criteria include:
- Fasting glucose between 100 and 125 mg/dl;
- Hemoglobin lies between 5.7% and 6.4% (this examination reflects the average blood sugar in the last three months);
- Oral glucose tolerance test (Totg) with glucose result after two hours between 140 and 199 mg/dl.
This is an image that affects more and more Brazilians. According to the Atlas of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)In 2024, 15.2 million people in Brazil received the diagnosis of glucose compromised fasting and 17.7 million tolerance to the reduction of glucose.
Difference between pre-diabetes and diabetes symptoms
Both paintings are mostly silent. Even so, some symptoms may indicate that the patient has advanced to a type 2 diabetes. Therefore, among the main signs that can marry the differences between pre-diabetes and diabetes are:
- Increased thirst and hunger;
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet;
- Wounds that do not heal;
- Frequent infections;
- Involuntary weight loss.
When to see a doctor
A doctor should be requested in case of symptoms. In addition, according to SBD, the exams should be carried out regularly from the age of 35. Below this age, the tests are recommended for people with risk factors, such as overweight or obesityPolycyry ovarian syndrome and family history.
The exams are important because, although the main concern is the evolution of the condition for type 2 diabetes, due to the risks associated with the disease, the studies indicate that the public in the intermediate phase could already be more likely to have heart and neurological problems.
“In pre-diabetes, most people already have a certain degree of compromise of the cardiovascular system,” says Luciano Giaciaglia, Coordinator of the SBD Department of Type 2 and Pre-Diabetes.
Many patients may evolve into a heart attack or a Race (race) Even before receiving the diagnosis of diabetes.
Furthermore, according to Giaciaglia, there is a direct relationship between high levels of glucose and cognitive decline, capable of affecting patients even in a pre-diabetes scenario.
Is it possible to reverse?
“Yes, pre-diabetes can be reversible, especially if diagnosed in advance,” says Tarissa Petry, endocrinologist at the center specialized in obesity and diabetes of Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital.
Invest in food greet, physical activity Regular loss and weight can normalize glucose levels and prevent diabetes progression. For some patients, the use of drugs may be necessary.
Furthermore, according to the studies, as established by Diabetes prevention program (DPP)From 5% to 10% of body weight it can already significantly reduce the risk of evolution of the disease.
In any case, Giaciaglia underlines that when it comes to pre-diabetes and diabetes, the most appropriate term is “remission” and never “healing” or “reversal”.
Although control of glucose levels in the blood, when a person develops pre-diabetes, it is clear that they have already lost a percentage of pancreas and beta pancreatic cells, responsible for the production of insulin.
Some of these cells can work again, but very lost and it does not regenerate. “Therefore, it is not possible to recover the function as before. It is precisely for this reason that prevention and early diagnosis are fundamental”, warns the doctor.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
