10 main symptoms of prediabetes: article by endocrinologist Tatyana Musik on the TUT.BY portal

Prediabetes is characterized by insulin resistance syndrome, which leads to the development of type II diabetes mellitus.

Insulin is produced by Langerhans cells of the pancreas and is necessary to reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood, thereby maintaining the metabolism of carbohydrates at the required level. When the sensitivity of insulin-dependent cells to insulin decreases, sugar from the blood cannot be absorbed by the cells, which leads to impaired carbohydrate metabolism.

The outcome of this condition with inadequate therapy or its absence becomes type II diabetes mellitus.

IMPORTANT! Every year, 11% of cases of transition from prediabetes to diabetes are recorded.

What are the causes of prediabetes?

The immediate cause of the development of this condition is tissue insulin resistance and impaired insulin synthesis by the pancreas.

There are also many risk factors:

• Physical inactivity (sedentary lifestyle);
• Excessive and unbalanced nutrition;
• Overweight and obesity;
• Inadequate physical activity;
• Diseases of the pancreas;
• Increased cholesterol levels;
• Presence of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases;
• Bad habits (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption);
• Chronic sleep disorders;
• Stress and psycho-emotional stress;
• Viral infections.

Diagnosis of the condition in women

Patients with signs of prediabetes undergo a comprehensive examination by an endocrinologist. The table below lists the main diagnostic methods that are indicated for women with this pathology.

The normal concentration of glucose in venous blood, which is donated on an empty stomach, is 6.2 mmol per 1 liter of biological material. Higher levels of this substance indicate the stage of prediabetes.

What are the main symptoms of prediabetes?

Prediabetes does not have any pronounced symptoms, which creates a danger for patients, since not everyone succeeds in identifying it before it turns into diabetes.

However, it is still not completely asymptomatic. May be observed:

• weakness, lethargy;
• dizziness;
• increased thirst and polydipsia;
• progressive change in body weight (weight gain or sudden weight loss);
• itching of the skin (especially the scalp);
• blurred vision;
• chronic fatigue;
• depression;
• thrush (a common characteristic symptom for women).

Examples of the correct menu for women after 40, 50, 60 years

The table below shows an approximate weekly menu for women who have been diagnosed with signs of prediabetes.

As drinks, berry fruit drinks, herbal teas based on chamomile, linden, mint, and thyme are allowed, but without added sugar. Kefir, fermented baked milk, and yogurt are also allowed to be included in the daily menu, provided that these fermented milk products contain a minimum percentage of fat content.

How to treat prediabetes? (Prevention of prediabetes)

Knowing the above predisposing factors, you can draw up a plan for preventive measures. First of all, you need to correct your weight, blood pressure and lifestyle. Optimal physical activity, proper balanced nutrition, monitoring blood pressure, timely intake of antihypertensive drugs (lowering blood pressure) and giving up bad habits will help prevent the development of insulin resistance syndrome.

Also an important preventive measure is timely seeking qualified help if such symptoms are detected.

Due to the absence of pronounced specific clinical manifestations, this condition cannot always be recognized with accuracy, so a careful differential diagnosis is necessary.

When this pathology is detected, they are not always in a hurry to prescribe serious glucose-lowering drugs, trying to start with more gentle methods, for example, physiotherapeutic procedures, such as:

• acupuncture;
• hirudotherapy;
• massage;
• Exercise therapy.

Is there a pre-diabetic diet?

Following a prediabetic diet requires avoiding foods that put additional stress on the pancreas and also cause an increase in glucose levels.

What foods should you avoid?

Symptoms of prediabetes in women appear gradually as the endocrine disease progresses.

To get rid of this pathology, it is recommended to completely avoid the following products:

• granulated sugar;
• marmalade;
• all kinds of jams;
• confectionery;
• dates;
• halva;
• baked goods;
• melon;
• duck;
• fatty pork;
• cottage cheese with a high percentage of milk fat;
• sour cream;
• raisin;
• mutton;
• cream;
• White bread;
• mayonnaise;
• grape;
• smoked lard;
• figs;
• sausages and sausages;
• canned meat;
• all types of semi-finished products;
• persimmon;
• French fries;
• popcorn;
• confectionery fat;
• bananas.

Alcohol and sweet carbonated drinks are strictly prohibited. Women who have been diagnosed with a prediabetic state of the body should avoid fried, too salty, spicy, and smoked foods.

Allowed and healthy products

To normalize the functions of the pancreas and reduce blood sugar levels, eating the following biologically useful foods is recommended:

• rabbit meat;
• chicken;
• River fish;
• lean ocean fish and seafood;
• peas;
• beans;
• brown bread;
• chicken eggs;
• all types of vegetables;
• green apples;
• mushrooms;
• skim cheese;
• veal;
• cereal porridges (the only exceptions are semolina and polished rice, as these are foods with a high glycemic index).

All of the above products are prepared in a steam bath, boiled in water, stewed with vegetables, or baked in the oven. Meals should be fractional without overeating.

What can we conclude?

Prediabetes is a pathological condition characterized by metabolic disorders due to increased tolerance of insulin-dependent tissues to glucose. This condition is not yet a life- and health-threatening diagnosis, but in the absence of adequate and timely diagnosis and effective therapy, it can develop into type II diabetes mellitus.

Prediabetes does not have specific clinical symptoms, which makes it difficult to make a correct diagnosis. To establish the correct diagnosis, careful differential diagnosis is necessary.

Lifestyle changes and treatment of concomitant diseases will help reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance syndrome and, subsequently, diabetes mellitus.

Risk group

Specialists from the American Diabetes Association have identified the following categories of patients who are at risk of acquiring a prediabetic state of the body:

• age over 45 years in combination with overweight or morbid obesity;
• there is always an increased content of triglycerides in the blood;
• tendency to arterial hypertension with stable high blood pressure within 140 per 90 tonometer units;
• low blood lipoprotein levels;
• younger than 45 years old, but a total body mass index of 25, or has higher indicators;
• there are close relatives in the family with type 2 diabetes;
• the woman previously suffered from gestational diabetes with the subsequent birth of a child weighing over 4 kg;
• ignoring physical activity;
• rapid gain of excess body weight.

All women at risk of acquiring a prediabetic state of the body should undergo preventive examinations by an endocrinologist. In this case, every 6 months. It is recommended to donate capillary blood from your finger to determine your sugar level.

Exercises for Prediabetes

Regular physical activity helps control blood sugar levels, prevents excess body weight gain, and also prevents type 2 diabetes. Women with a prediabetic state of the body are recommended to perform exercises for all muscle groups and mandatory cardiological training.

Squats

Squats are a simple but energy-intensive exercise that is performed according to the following algorithm:

1. Place your feet shoulder-width apart.

2. Place your hands on your belt.
3. Straighten your back.
4. On the count of “one”, bend your knees, performing a deep squat.
5. On the count of two, rise to the starting position.

This exercise is performed for 12-15 repetitions in 3 sets. Squats should be done in the morning, at lunch and in the evening as a warm-up, as well as to prevent an increase in blood glucose.

Swings with dumbbells

To perform this exercise, you will need 2 dumbbells weighing 1-2 kg, as well as a spacious room.

Carrying out this training, which allows you to effectively fight prediabetes, is as follows:

1. Fix your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Hold dumbbells in both hands.
3. Raise sports equipment to chest level.
4. Alternately with your right and left hands, imitate direct blows.

For each upper limb, you need to do 15 repetitions in 3 sets. The advantage of this exercise is that it allows you to quickly reduce blood sugar levels and also strengthens the muscles of the shoulder girdle.

Abs workout

This exercise is easy to perform at home without any special training equipment.

It is enough to follow the following recommendations:

1. Take a horizontal position.
2. Fix your feet on the floor, slightly bending your knees.
3. Clasp your hands behind your head.
4. On the count of “one”, lift the body up towards the knee joints.
5. On the count of two, return the body to its original position.

In the process of performing this workout, excess calories are burned, excess glucose is consumed, and the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity is trained. In this case, you need to do 20 repetitions in 3 approaches. It is recommended to do abdominal training every day in the morning for 30 minutes. before breakfast.

A ride on the bicycle

Cycling is a form of cardiovascular exercise that helps lower blood sugar levels in prediabetes and also strengthens blood vessels. To achieve a positive effect in preventing the further development of diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to ride a bicycle from 5 to 10 km 1-2 times a week, depending on the individual physical capabilities of each woman.

Medicines and supplements

Symptoms of prediabetes in women are eliminated by dosed administration of medications, the action of which is aimed at reducing the level of glucose in the blood.

In this case, the following types of medications can be used:

• Metformin;
• Glucophage;
• Siofor;
• Amaryl;
• Diabetes;

• Forxiga;
• Diaformin.

The above drugs have hypoglycemic properties. Medicines in this category should be prescribed exclusively by an endocrinologist after a comprehensive examination of the patient. The dosage regimen is also determined by the doctor based on the results of a blood test.