Borderline sugar alert!

Those with prediabetes are not only in danger of developing diabetes, but also, at risk of dying early.

WE KNOW that people with diabetes are prone to serious, and sometimes, fatal complications. As was said in my previous article ( Sugar in the blood, Star2, Dec 5), prediabetes is just a condition where blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not as high as in people with untreated diabetes. So, we need not be worried about having prediabetes then, true?

Not true, unfortunately! Even though people with prediabetes have lower blood sugar levels than diabetics, they are also prone to developing complications that occur in people with (uncontrolled) diabetes; for example, kidney disease (nephropathy), eye disease (retinopathy) and nerve damage (neuropathy), especially to the legs.

But, diabetes-related complications are not the only conditions prediabetics need to be concerned about.

Progression to frank diabetes

This is the most common consequence of prediabetes.

People with prediabetes are said to be about four to 10 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus, compared to those without the condition.

Studies have also suggested that every year, about 10% of those with borderline high blood glucose levels – that is, one in every 10 prediabetics – will progress to become diabetics.

So, it follows that if you do not take steps to address your prediabetes, you could become a diabetic within 10 years!

The more overweight you are, and the higher your blood glucose levels are above

a senior citizen getting her eyes checked during the recent World diabetes day. retinopathy is a complication that can occur not only in those with uncontrolled diabetes, but also in those with borderline high blood sugar levels. — Filepic