Pre-diabetes and factors causing progression to diabetes 2

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Thi Duyen - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital

Complete prediabetes can progress rapidly to type 2 diabetes if early prevention and intervention measures are not taken. If the blood test is diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you need to pay attention to immediately change your diet and exercise to the most appropriate if possible.

Pre-diabetes means blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Prediabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, but it can be reversed if we intervene early on.
With type 2 diabetes, the body is no longer able to use insulin according to the same mechanism as normal people. This disease can occur at any age, but the risk is higher for the elderly, overweight, family history of diabetes, gestational diabetes.

The risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes is higher with the following subjects:
Overweight, obese. 45 years old and up. Family members with type 2 diabetes (natural parents, siblings). Physical activity less than 3 times a week. Having given birth to a baby weighing more than 4kg. Have had gestational diabetes in the past.

The exact cause of prediabetes is unknown. However, the leading risk factors for prediabetes have been identified as genetics, lack of physical activity, and being overweight.
In people with prediabetes, the pancreas may not make enough insulin or the cells become resistant to insulin and won't allow sugar to enter the cells. So instead of providing energy to cells, sugar builds up in the blood.

Factors that contribute to the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes include:
Being overweight : The more fatty tissue there is, especially within and between the muscles and the skin around the abdomen, the more cells become resistance to insulin. Large Waist: An oversized waistline can be a sign of insulin resistance. The risk of insulin resistance is increased for men with a waist circumference greater than 100cm and for women with a waist circumference greater than 90cm. Unhealthy diet: Eating red meat, processed meat, and sugary drinks increases the risk of prediabetes. For example, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and olive oil can reduce your risk of prediabetes. Inactivity: The less active you are, the higher your risk of prediabetes. Physical activity helps you control your weight, uses up sugar for energy, and makes your body use insulin more efficiently. Elderly: The risk of developing diabetes increases after age 45. Family history: The risk of prediabetes is increased if someone in the family has type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes puts the mother and fetus at a higher risk of developing prediabetes. . You should check your blood sugar at least every 3 years in this case. Polycystic ovary syndrome: Characterized by menstrual irregularities, excessive hair growth, and obesity are associated with a higher risk of prediabetes. Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A condition that repeatedly disrupts sleep, increasing the risk of insulin resistance. Tobacco smoke: Smoking can increase insulin resistance. High Blood Pressure. Low levels of HDL cholesterol. High levels of triglycerides.

The most serious consequence of prediabetes is progression to type 2 diabetes. Accordingly, type 2 prediabetes can lead to the following complications:
High blood pressure High cholesterol Heart disease Stroke Kidney disease Nerve damage Vision problems, possibly loss of vision Amputation Prediabetes has been linked to silent heart attacks and can damage the kidneys, even if it hasn't progressed to kidney disease type 2 diabetes.

Healthy lifestyle choices can help you prevent prediabetes and its progression to type 2 diabetes - even with inherited diabetes. Accordingly, you need to try to implement the following measures:
Maintain a healthy diet that is beneficial to health such as eating less sweets and carbohydrates, not drinking alcohol, not smoking. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity each week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Lose weight if you are overweight. Control blood pressure and cholesterol. No smoking. There are many factors that cause type 2 diabetes from pre-diabetes. Accordingly, detecting the disease at an early stage can prevent the disease from progressing by making lifestyle changes and maintaining appropriate nutrition.
Therefore, when being diagnosed with pre-diabetes, patients should go to specialized medical facilities for examination, screening, and exclusion of causes that progress to pre-diabetes.
Currently, at Vinmec International General Hospital, we are implementing a screening package for diabetes and dyslipidemia to help detect pre-diabetes early, accurately classify diabetes type, and develop a regimen nutrition, monitoring to minimize the risks and complications of pre-diabetes.
All examination and screening procedures are performed by well-trained, experienced and specialized endocrinologists, which will bring optimal treatment effects to customers.

References: cdc.gov, mayoclinic.org