Should I worry if my glucose is 101?

A glucose level of 101 doesn't mean you have diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood glucose level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL. It means that you should control your blood sugar level through your diet. Otherwise, you may develop diabetes. This is a warning sign that you should stop ingesting extra glucose through your diet.
Your pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. When you ingest food, your body converts carbohydrates into glucose or blood sugar. This glucose flows into your bloodstream. Insulin from the pancreas is released into the bloodstream, and it acts on the glucose, breaking it down to provide energy to your body.
Insulin levels
If insulin levels are too low, the glucose in the bloodstream is not broken down, and it accumulates, increasing blood sugar levels. This can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
Decreasing insulin production leads to an accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream. This condition worsens gradually over time. In the end, it develops into type 2 diabetes. It is also a root cause of certain nervous and circulatory system diseases.
This condition can be caused by several factors, such as:
- Being overweight
- Advancing age
- Genetics
- Unhealthy diet or overeating
- Smoking
Symptoms of prediabetes
Prediabetes typically has no specific symptoms, which is why so many people develop diabetes every year.
Sometimes people with prediabetes may have symptoms of diabetes, including:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Blurry vision
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Tingling sensation in the hands and feet
- Dehydration
The cycle of increased urination and thirst
When there is too much glucose in the body, it will cause you to produce more urine to excrete the excess glucose. This leads to increased urination, dehydration, and thirst. Males may also experience erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive as a result.
Prediabetes diagnosis
Diabetes is typically diagnosed using a standard blood glucose test. It's essential that you fast before this test to get an accurate reading of your blood glucose level. Your blood glucose level should be no higher than 99 mg/dL. If it is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, you may have prediabetes.
SLIDESHOW
Diabetes: What Raises and Lowers Your Blood Sugar Level? See SlideshowTreatment for prediabetes
The treatment of prediabetes varies from case to case depending on how it is affecting the patient.
- For some people, it is reversed by simply following a balanced diet plan and exercise.
- In some cases, a doctor puts you on medication if your glucose level is too high.
Proper nutrition and exercise are essential, whether you belong to a diabetic family or not. It is also important to keep track of your blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor about your tests and what personal testing options are available for you. Prediabetes can often be reversed, but should never be taken lightly.
How to reverse prediabetes
If your prediabetes is diagnosed early, you can change your lifestyle, and it may go away. By adopting the following habits, you can work to reverse prediabetes.
Changes to your diet plan
It would help if you made the necessary changes to your diet plan by eating low-carb vegetables and fruits. The diet plan of someone with prediabetes should limit sugar and include low or non-fat dairy products and citrus fruits. Sometimes, simply eating in moderation can prove to be effective.
Workout routine
When you work out, your body converts glucose into energy. This makes exercise an ideal way to get your body healthy again. Workouts can take any form, such as running or engaging in activities at the gym. At the very least, you should make an effort to move your body daily.
Losing weight
Obesity is the leading cause of diabetes. If you lose excess weight, you can decrease your chances of getting diabetes. This takes a good workout routine and a balanced diet, low in carbs and rich in nutrients.
What happens if prediabetes remains unchecked?
If you keep living an unhealthy lifestyle (lack of physical activity, excessive eating, or smoking), it can lead to more severe problems.
When prediabetes progresses to type 2 diabetes, over time, you may have to deal with more complications like:
- Stroke
- Kidney problems
- Eye damage
- Diabetes rash
- Hypertension
- Heart attack
- Neuropathy
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Cleveland Clinic: "Blood Glucose Test."
Diabetes.co.uk: "Insulin."
MayoClinic: "Diabetes diet: Create your healthy eating plan," "Mayo Clinic Q and A: How to reverse Prediabetes," "Prediabetes."
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "Symptoms & Causes of Diabetes."
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