Prediabetes: Symptoms, Diagnoses, and Treatment
Prediabetes management is also known as; impaired glucose tolerance, borderline diabetes, impaired fasting glucose or glucose intolerance. Where either an Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) test indicates that the blood glucose levels are higher than normal, though not high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).
Symptoms
Signs & Symptoms can vary with each person, some people experience no symptoms whereas others can experience a range of symptoms. These can include; increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vison, loss of sensation, poor wound healing, excessive weight gain around the abdomen.
Diagnoses
Having impaired glucose does not mean you will develop T2D but does mean you are 10-20 times higher risk of developing T2D compared to someone with normal blood glucose levels.
Risk Factors that cannot be controlled include: having a close relative with T2D, having a background of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander, South-East Asian, Asian (the sub-continent), Arabic, or north African, women with PCOS, women who have had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby weighing more than 4.5kg.
Factors that can be controlled are being overweight; having a waistline of more than 80cm for women and more than 94cm for men, being physically inactive, Having high triglycerides (blood fats) and low HDL-C (good cholesterol) and/or high total and LDL cholesterol, having high blood pressure, long-term poor or little sleep, drinking more than 2 standard alcoholic drinks a day and smoking.
Treatment
Treatment and prevention involve making lifestyle changes; particularly with physical activity and healthy eating. Weight loss and exercise are recommended as first-line treatments for prediabetes. By reducing sedentary behavior and energy-dense diets you can reduce the risk factors associated with prediabetes.
Planned exercise and physical activity are a cornerstone for diabetes management. It is recommended to accumulate a minimum of 210 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise or 125 minutes per week of high-intensity. Planned, regular and structured exercise involving both aerobic exercise (using large muscle groups with repetitive movement) and resistance-based strength exercises; can help reduce blood glucose levels, blood pressure and improve insulin resistance.
There are many governments funded and subsidised programs, some differ between each state. Participant involvement differs with face to face, online, telehealth and independent and group exercise. All programs include education to assist in prevention and controlling type 2 diabetes. In QLD there is a program called My health for life https://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/ . This program is a free six-month government funded education program run by a Health Coach to help tailor an action plan towards your health goals. You can start your health check here; https://www.myhealthforlife.com.au/risk-assessment/
The role of an EP in T2D prevention is to develop an individualised exercise plan, aiming to reduce sedentary behavior, educate clients on the risks and benefits of different forms of physical activity and tailor a program to the individual based on their goals, and other health concerns or conditions.
If you have not exercised recently, have health concerns or have noticed signs and symptoms of prediabetes, it is advised you attend an appointment with your GP prior to commencing an exercise program. Your GP can then advise the best course of action for a wholistic approach to your health care with an allied health team
