Can prediabetes be cured?

Prediabetes, once identified, means your risk of type 2 diabetes is very high. However, some people have successfully changed their prediabetes by changing their diet and lifestyle.

1. What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of prediabetes but it is related insulin resistance, i.e. when cells stop responding to the hormone insulin produced by the pancreas, allowing glucose to enter the cells. When the body doesn't use insulin properly, sugar can build up in the blood.
Prediabetes does not always cause symptoms, although some people may experience darkening of the skin around the armpits, neck, and elbows. To diagnose prediabetes, a patient needs to have a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test. If your blood glucose reading is between 100 and 125, you may have prediabetes. Besides, your doctor can also use the A1C test to monitor your blood sugar for up to 3 months. If the glycemic index is between 5.7 and 6.4 percent, you may have prediabetes.

Xét nghiệm đường huyết cần lấy máu người bệnh lúc đói — Xét nghiệm đường huyết được thực hiện khi người bệnh đang đói

2. Can prediabetes be cured?

Prediabetes is understood to be the main risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. However, unlike full-blown type 2 diabetes, prediabetes can be cured.
To raise awareness for people about the risk of prediabetes and about the risks they face with diabetes, in the US there is a 3rd day campaign to warn about diabetes.
Prediabetes is thought to be the result of a poor diet and lack of physical activity. Prediabetes is common in many countries due to the effects of sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and low level of exercise. The sharp increase in obesity rates has led to a spike in diabetes and prediabetes.
Many studies have shown that eating less food and choosing the right food when combined with 30 minutes of exercise a day can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes and this is also an effective method for the treatment of prediabetes.

Chế độ ăn uống khi bị tiểu đường — Tiền tiểu đường xảy ra có thể xuất phát từ chế độ ăn uống không khoa học

3. What is the natural way to reverse prediabetes?

3.1. Building and implementing a “clean” diet

One risk factor for prediabetes is a diet high in processed foods with added fat, calories and sugar without much nutritional value. A diet high in red meat also increases the risk of prediabetes.
A "clean" diet is represented by healthy food choices that can help restore normal blood sugar levels. It is this that can reverse prediabetes and help prevent type 2 diabetes. You can incorporate low fat and low calorie foods into your diet by:
Combine eating fruits with complex carbs Eat lots of vegetables Eat lean meats Eat whole grains Eat healthy fats, like avocados and fish

3.2 Exercise regularly

Lack of physical activity is another risk factor for prediabetes. Not only does exercise produce energy and mental health, but it can also lower blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity so the cells in your body use insulin more efficiently.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), exercise can lower blood sugar up to 24 hours after exercise. If you're starting a new exercise routine, start slowly. Engage in light physical activity for 15 or 20 minutes, then gradually increase the intensity and length of the exercise over a few days. Ideally, you should get about 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity at least 5 days a week. Suggested exercises include walking, cycling, jogging, swimming, aerobics, etc...

Thường xuyên luyện tập thể dục thể thao sẽ rất tốt cho người mắc bệnh ung thư vú — Tập thể dục là một cách đẩy lùi tiền tiểu đường một cách tự nhiên

3.3 Lose weight

Another plus to regular exercise is that it helps you lose excess weight. In fact, losing 5 to 10 percent of your body fat (10 to 20 pounds) can improve blood sugar levels and help reverse prediabetes. Large waistlines can also lead to insulin resistance. The waist circumference most likely to cause insulin resistance is 35 inches or more for women and 40 inches or more for men.
Always remember that healthy eating and regular exercise habits are key to weight loss. Therefore, plan appropriate exercise and combine it with a reasonable diet and frequency to prevent prediabetes.

3.4 Stop smoking

A lot of people know that smoking increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer. However, smoking is also a risk factor for insulin resistance which causes prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
If you are a smoker, you can give it up by using over-the-counter products. prescriptions such as nicotine patches or nicotine gum, or learn about smoking cessation programs or prescription drugs to help curb nicotine cravings.

Hút thuốc lá làm tăng gấp đôi nguy cơ mắc bệnh tiểu đường — Bệnh nhân tiền tiểu đường cần ngừng việc uống thuốc

3.5. Eat less carbs

Even if you're following a clean diet, it's also important to choose your carbohydrates carefully to help reverse prediabetes. They are found in foods such as vegetables, grains, and beans. These carbs are rich in fiber, so they will keep you full longer because they break down for a long time, so the absorption rate is slower, which will prevent a sudden spike in blood sugar.
Simple carbohydrates should be avoided or limited, which absorb quickly and cause an immediate spike in blood sugar. These carbs are commonly found in foods/drinks such as candy, yogurt, honey, juices, and some fruits. Refined carbs should also be limited or avoided because they absorb quickly. It is commonly found in foods such as white rice, white bread, pizza dough, breakfast cereals, cakes, and pasta.

3.6 Treatment of sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition associated with insulin resistance. With this condition, breathing stops repeatedly during the night because the throat muscles stop working. Signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping during sleep, choking during sleep, waking up with a headache, falling asleep during the day, etc.
Treatment of sleep apnea usually includes This includes using an oral device during sleep to keep the throat open, or possibly using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilator to help keep the airway open throughout the night.

3.7 Drink more water

Drinking water is also one of the decisions to reverse prediabetes and prevent type 2 diabetes. Water helps control blood sugar and it is also a healthy alternative to soft drinks and fruit juices, which are often high in sugar.

Mẹ nên uống nhiều nước để tăng tiết sữa — Người bệnh được khuyến khích uống nhiều nước hơn

3.8. Get support from a nutritionist

It can be difficult to identify foods that can cause prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, even if your doctor has made dietary recommendations, you should still consider them. the consultation of a reputable nutritionist. Because they can provide nutritional guidance and advice on what foods to eat and what foods to avoid. In addition, nutritionists can help you develop a meal plan specific to your condition and offer other practical strategies for maintaining a healthy diet to stabilize your intake. blood sugar.

4. Does the drug work in the treatment of prediabetes?

Although some people can reverse prediabetes with lifestyle changes, this is not enough for everyone. If your lifestyle has been adjusted but your blood sugar is not improving and you are at high risk of developing diabetes, your doctor may prescribe medication for you.
Such medications may include medications that help lower blood sugar and reverse prediabetes including metformin (Glucophage, Fortamet) or a similar medication. Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes by up to 30%. It can also reduce appetite and help with weight loss.

Sử dụng thuốc như các loại kháng sinh, NSAID...cũng có thể gây tăng bạch cầu ái toan tại đường tiêu hoá — Một số loại thuốc được sử dụng để điều trị tiền tiểu đường

5. When you should see a doctor.

Prediabetes is considered a possible cause of type 2 diabetes. So it's important to monitor your symptoms and see your doctor if you develop any of these early signs of the disease. diabetes. These signs vary from person to person but may include increased urination, unusual hunger, blurred vision, fatigue, etc.
A diagnosis of prediabetes does not mean you will develop the disease. type 2 diabetes. But you need to take quick action to reverse the condition to get your blood sugar back to healthy levels. By doing so, you will not only avoid type 2 diabetes but also other related disease complications.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, we always deploy a screening package for diabetes and dyslipidemia to help detect pre-diabetes early, accurately classify diabetes type, develop a nutritional regimen, monitoring to minimize the risk and complications caused by diabetes.

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Bài viết này được viết cho người đọc tại Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.