Have you ever gotten yourself tested for diabetes and been informed that you are pre-diabetic? Prediabetes means that your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes.
Often, people believe that being in the pre-diabetic range is not alarming, as they don’t fall under the type-2 diabetes category, leading to mismanaged diet and lifestyle choices. However, Dr Alok believes that may be far from the truth.
In an April 15 Instagram post, Dr Alok Chopra, a cardiologist in Delhi with 40 years of experience, highlighted that there is no such thing as ‘pre-diabetes’. He explained that saying one is pre-diabetic is like saying ‘you’re slightly pregnant.’ So what’s actually happening when you are diagnosed as a pre-diabetic person?
‘Prediabetic isn’t a thing’
Dr Alok explained that when one falls within the pre-diabetic range, it usually means their body is no longer handling sugar as it should. Their insulin isn’t working as efficiently as it used to. “Pre-diabetic isn’t a thing. If your body is showing signs, it’s already asking for change,” he highlighted.
Furthermore, he explained that in this range, the body is trying to move sugar into the cells. However, the cells aren’t responding properly, a condition known as insulin resistance, which doesn’t happen overnight. “Insulin resistance builds silently,” he cautioned.
The cardiologist noted that though it is an alarm sign from the body, it is also an early window before it becomes ‘full-blown type 2 diabetes.’ Here’s the good part, according to the cardiologist: type 2 diabetes is reversible, especially at this stage; with the right steps, it can be reversed just as intentionally. The reversal happens by:
- Fixing nutrition
- Moving your body
- Improving sleep
- Managing stress
What is the range for prediabetes?
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prediabetic range generally falls between 5.7 and 6.4 percent. Meanwhile, the normal range is below 5.7 percent, and for diabetes, it is 6.5 percent or above. The report also cautions that prediabetes is a serious health condition that puts one at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
