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Diabetes FAQ - Prediabetes
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These are some of questions I frequently get asked at my diabetes management clinic. I conduct regular clinics for diabetics focusing on the use of lifestyle, especially diet modifications to improve / reverse / manage their diabetic conditions.
>> to find out more about >> our Diabetes Lifestyle & Diet Management Programme
I also get asked these questions when I teach The Lifestyle as Medicine classes which I frequently conduct for people with diabetes, where I would teach about role of lifestyle modifications in the prevention and control of chronic lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes.
>> to find out more >> Engines of Health
These are provided for information only and are not intended nor should it be used as specific medical advice for your diabetic condition. Please consult your medical doctor before you make any changes to your diabetes management regime.
>> to find out more about >> our Diabetes Lifestyle & Diet Management Programme
I also get asked these questions when I teach The Lifestyle as Medicine classes which I frequently conduct for people with diabetes, where I would teach about role of lifestyle modifications in the prevention and control of chronic lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes.
>> to find out more >> Engines of Health
These are provided for information only and are not intended nor should it be used as specific medical advice for your diabetic condition. Please consult your medical doctor before you make any changes to your diabetes management regime.
Q1. I've just been told by my doctor that my blood test results shows that I have prediabetes, what does that mean?
A. Prediabetes is a clear sign that you have the underlying problems, or what we medical doctors term as pathophysiology, that causes diabetes, namely insulin resistance (reduction of sensitivity of the body to insulin) or/and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction (reduction of insulin production from pancreas). It is diagnosed when one or more of your blood tests for blood glucose - fasting, 2 hr post meal or HbA1c is higher than normal but is below the level to be medically defined as diabetes.
Q2. I was diagnosed as prediabetes and told to lose some weight, do more exercise, watch my diet and to go back for a retest in a few months, what can I do to stop the progression from prediabetes to diabetes?
A. Prediabetes should be taken seriously because unless significant lifestyle and dietary modification are undertaken, your chances of developing diabetes in the near future is high. Take the diagnosis of prediabetes seriously but at same time take it as a 'lucky' wake up call which gives you a reasonably good chance to still be able to use lifestyle and dietary modification to arrest and even reverse the underlying pathophysiology to prevent, stop or at the very least delay for as long as possible the progression to diabetes. Be positive, think of being diagnosed as prediabetes as 'better' than being diagnosed as diabetes only at a advanced diabetic stage where the chances of improvement and reversal of the underlying pathophysiology of diabetes would have been comparatively reduced and that there would already be irreversible macrovascular or microvascular damage to different parts of the body at time of diagnosis. Work with a doctor to guide, monitor and support you in a concerted lifestyle & dietary modification effort as soon as possible.
>> to find out more about my diabetes clinic >> Diabetes Lifestyle & Diet Management Programme
Q3. Is prediabetes reversible?
A. Prediabetes is potentially reversible, through concerted lifestyle & dietary modification, especially when embarked upon early in the course of the disease. You must understand that even after you have successfully reversed your prediabetes through lifestyle and diet change, the underlying pathophysiology that leads to prediabetes and diabetes may still be there to some degree and may still progress. Therefore even after you have reversed your prediabetes and your blood sugar tests have returned to normal healthy levels, you must still maintain your healthy lifestyle & diet, you must continue to be vigilant, work with a doctor to monitor you closely and regularly. (Read also our diabetes FAQ >>> "Can Diabetes be reversed by lifestyle & dietary modifications?")
A. Prediabetes is a clear sign that you have the underlying problems, or what we medical doctors term as pathophysiology, that causes diabetes, namely insulin resistance (reduction of sensitivity of the body to insulin) or/and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction (reduction of insulin production from pancreas). It is diagnosed when one or more of your blood tests for blood glucose - fasting, 2 hr post meal or HbA1c is higher than normal but is below the level to be medically defined as diabetes.
Q2. I was diagnosed as prediabetes and told to lose some weight, do more exercise, watch my diet and to go back for a retest in a few months, what can I do to stop the progression from prediabetes to diabetes?
A. Prediabetes should be taken seriously because unless significant lifestyle and dietary modification are undertaken, your chances of developing diabetes in the near future is high. Take the diagnosis of prediabetes seriously but at same time take it as a 'lucky' wake up call which gives you a reasonably good chance to still be able to use lifestyle and dietary modification to arrest and even reverse the underlying pathophysiology to prevent, stop or at the very least delay for as long as possible the progression to diabetes. Be positive, think of being diagnosed as prediabetes as 'better' than being diagnosed as diabetes only at a advanced diabetic stage where the chances of improvement and reversal of the underlying pathophysiology of diabetes would have been comparatively reduced and that there would already be irreversible macrovascular or microvascular damage to different parts of the body at time of diagnosis. Work with a doctor to guide, monitor and support you in a concerted lifestyle & dietary modification effort as soon as possible.
>> to find out more about my diabetes clinic >> Diabetes Lifestyle & Diet Management Programme
Q3. Is prediabetes reversible?
A. Prediabetes is potentially reversible, through concerted lifestyle & dietary modification, especially when embarked upon early in the course of the disease. You must understand that even after you have successfully reversed your prediabetes through lifestyle and diet change, the underlying pathophysiology that leads to prediabetes and diabetes may still be there to some degree and may still progress. Therefore even after you have reversed your prediabetes and your blood sugar tests have returned to normal healthy levels, you must still maintain your healthy lifestyle & diet, you must continue to be vigilant, work with a doctor to monitor you closely and regularly. (Read also our diabetes FAQ >>> "Can Diabetes be reversed by lifestyle & dietary modifications?")
Diabetes FAQ
"Can Diabetes be reversed by lifestyle & dietary modifications?"
"Prediabetes - how to prevent it from progressing to diabetes?"
"Can Diabetes be reversed by lifestyle & dietary modifications?"
"Prediabetes - how to prevent it from progressing to diabetes?"
Links to Other Diabetes related Blog Posts by Dr Chan
Dr Chan asks, "Combating Diabetes, is Cutting Down on Sugar Alone Enough?"
Diabetes Explained Simply - What is Diabetes? What can we do if we have Diabetes
FAQ - What is a Good Diet for Diabetes? Criteria for Dietary, Eating Habits for Diabetes
FAQ : Doctor, can I take Honey if I have Diabetes? is Honey good for people with diabetes
STUDY : 4 Case Studies of Long-term diabetes reversal / remission through intense lifestyle modification program
Bitter Melon Pills - Does it Work for Diabetes
Does Vinegar Help Lower Blood Sugar?
4 Lesser Known but Serious Complications of Diabetes
Are all Low Glycemic Index Foods Good for People with Diabetes?
3 Most Underrated Lifestyle Habits as Medicine for Combating Diabetes
Stress & Diabetes - The Oft-overlooked Impact of Stress on Diabetes Control and Outcomes
