In the UK, it is thought that one in every fifteen people has diabetes. Even more concerning is the possibility that there are up to one million undiagnosed individuals.
If untreated, prediabetes is a health issue that can develop into chronic diabetes. Although prediabetes can be managed with Metformin, it unfortunately affects an even larger proportion of the population than chronic diabetes. Although the blood sugar levels are abnormally high, they are not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, prediabetes raises the risk of kidney disease, heart disease, blood vessel damage, and obesity.
That said, the telltale signs of prediabetes are not always the same for everyone, so it’s important to know all of the signs to look for.
Increased Hunger
A significant increase in appetite is one of the first signs of persistently high blood glucose levels and a primary red flag for type 2 diabetes. When your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, your cells won’t be able to process glucose efficiently, leading to a lack of energy and increased hunger.
Dry Mouth
While dry mouth can be caused by many different things ranging from breathing with your mouth open to autoimmune disease, prediabetes, diabetes, yeast infection, and various medications, a dry mouth is a sign of an underlying health concern rather than a condition itself. So, it’s important to visit your doctor if you are experiencing an uncomfortably dry mouth for more than two days consecutively.
Increased Urination
Polyuria, or frequent urination, is another sign of high blood sugar levels and a primary symptom of diabetes. It may also be connected to other warning signs, such as excessively heightened thirst.
When excess glucose in the blood pulls more water from the body, your kidneys need to work even harder to try and keep up with glucose that cannot be filtered or reabsorbed, which is why it ends up as urine.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Waking up to a seemingly slimmer frame is only a reward if you have been devoted to a weight loss journey. But when weight loss is unexplainable, prediabetes becomes a concern. Unfortunately, unexplained weight loss is also the first sign that prediabetes has already progressed.
While gradual weight loss or weight gain can be healthy, sudden weight loss of more than 10 pounds over a period of half a year or less is reason enough to schedule a consultation with your doctor. Weight loss tracking is even more important for this reason.
Blurred Vision
If you’re struggling with blurry vision, high blood pressure could be a concern. Higher than normal blood glucose can affect vision health by causing eye lenses to swell, while low blood sugar levels can eventually lead to blindness when left untreated.
Numbness In Fingers And Toes
Chronically high blood pressure can damage nerves. More often than not, nerves in the toes and fingers become numb and tingly in those with prediabetes. This symptom is known as diabetic neuropathy, and it can also be a sign that prediabetes has already progressed to chronic diabetes.