• Published on: Sep 26, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

What Is The Meaning Of Pre-diabetic?

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What is the meaning of pre-diabetic?

Pre-diabetes is the stage that comes before type 2 diabetes. If blood sugar levels are high but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes, then you are pre-diabetic.

A person may have pre-diabetes if they find it hard to control their blood glucose levels.

It is important to note how long you have had this condition and what your other risk factors are like such as age, history of gestational diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, family history (genetic heritability), obesity (BMI > 30), physical inactivity.

Pre-diabetic people tend to be insulin resistant or sensitive when they're not eating anything, and the fasting level is high at 138 mg/dl and when they're drinking glucose their fasting level goes up even more and after a meal, their blood sugar goes up higher than 140 mg/dl at least two times in 225.

Someone affected by pre-diabetes has an impaired ability to produce insulin, which is necessary to regulate glucose levels. This could lead to high blood sugar over time. People who are pre-diabetic may suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), normal aging or another illness that causes the pancreas to fail to work properly. A person suffering from pre-diabetes is suffering from high blood sugar levels. A person suffering from diabetes not Type 1 is suffering from high blood sugar levels.

Sometimes people are diagnosed with pre-diabetes instead of Type II Diabetes because it's more common in the population. Pre-diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or process glucose properly to regulate blood sugar, but that can be managed through diet and exercise in most cases.

Type I Diabetes is when a person cannot make any insulin at all, whereas type II might be caused by, for example, an unfortunate metabolic issue or lifestyle change like eating too many sweets or quitting smoking.

Pre-diabetic refers to a person who has blood sugar levels that qualify him or her as "pre-high blood glucose" but not high enough to be considered diabetic yet. Pre-diabetes is a temporary condition in which the body starts to develop insulin resistance, and the cells of your pancreas start secreting more and more of their own insulin to avoid producing too much glucose. Eventually, this becomes counterproductive, the pancreas becomes so resistant it can't keep up with demand anymore, and type 2 diabetes occurs. However, pre-diabetes does not require any treatment because by avoiding junk food and excessive portions (and exercising) you will likely get off pre-diabetics without ever developing diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a term to describe high blood insulin levels that are on the cusp of developing type 2 diabetes but haven't yet.

Type 2 diabetes develops when cells lose their insulin receptors and cannot create enough sugar for themselves. This means the body has to produce more and more insulin in order to get glucose into any cells with remaining insulin receptors (such as muscle or fat cells). Over time, high levels of circulating hormones lead to damage in the small vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients — particularly to kidneys — putting them at risk of failure. This can happen over decades and is referred to as "insulin resistance".

The primary goal for people suffering from pre-diabetes should be lifestyle change: reduce weight. Pre-diabetic means that you are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you're overweight, have a family history of diabetes, develop gestational diabetes while pregnant, or if it runs in your household then pre-diabetes is more likely to progress into type 2 diabetes.

Pre-diabetic means that a patient has been diagnosed as prediabetic – that is, their blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as having diabetes. People with pre-diabetes have a greatly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. One study found that adults who had one or more characteristics of the metabolic syndrome exhibited a 46% reduction in risk for the development of diabetes over 4 years following blinded diagnosis if they took metformin therapy alone or with other agents, compared to those on placebo therapy. In addition, people with pre-metabolic syndrome specifically were found to have 89?creased risks for this development

The term pre-diabetic is typically applied to patients who have impaired glucose tolerance or who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. A patient is considered a pre-diabetic when he or she has high blood sugar levels that may lead to progression into full-blown diabetes, called Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, but doesn't meet the diagnostic criteria for T2DM. In other words, the cells of this patient's body aren't quite as dysfunctional as those of a diabetic, yet they show signs of dysfunction. This stage falls between normal and diabetic and is sometimes referred to as prediabetes because it puts an individual at "risk" for T2DM development.

A pre-diabetic person is one who exhibits signs that they may be diabetic. The symptoms include stomach pains, frequent urination, and sudden weight loss. Pre-diabetes used to be known as age-related diabetes and are common in adults who are overweight and have high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels. Early-onset of pre-diabetes can lead to both short-term and long-term risks including heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy (Eye) as well as early death for people with type 2 diabetes.

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breath

Shortness of Breath Causes: From Common Triggers to Serious Health Conditions

Shortness of breath, medically known as dyspnea, is a symptom that ranges from mild discomfort during exertion to a distressing sensation of not getting enough air. In India, increasing air pollution, lifestyle diseases and respiratory infections have made breathlessness a frequent complaint across age groups. Understanding shortness of breath causes is essential to identify when it is harmless and when it signals a medical emergency.

 

What Is Shortness of Breath?

Shortness of breath refers to difficulty breathing or a feeling of air hunger.

It may present as:

  • rapid breathing

  • shallow breathing

  • tightness in the chest

  • inability to take a deep breath

The sensation can develop suddenly or gradually.

 

Common and Benign Causes of Shortness of Breath

Physical Exertion

During exercise, the body demands more oxygen.

Temporary breathlessness during:

  • climbing stairs

  • running

  • heavy physical work

is normal and resolves with rest.

 

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Stress and anxiety alter breathing patterns.

Symptoms include:

  • rapid breathing

  • chest tightness

  • dizziness

These episodes often resolve with calming techniques.

 

Respiratory Causes of Shortness of Breath

Asthma

Asthma causes airway narrowing and inflammation.

Symptoms include:

  • wheezing

  • chest tightness

  • breathlessness during exertion or at night

Asthma is a leading cause of chronic breathlessness.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Risk factors include:

  • smoking

  • indoor air pollution

  • occupational exposure

WHO identifies COPD as a major cause of breathlessness in adults.

 

Respiratory Infections

Infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis reduce lung capacity.

Breathlessness may be accompanied by:

  • cough

  • fever

  • chest pain

Severe infections require urgent treatment.

 

Heart-Related Causes of Shortness of Breath

Heart Failure

The heart fails to pump blood efficiently.

This leads to:

  • fluid accumulation in lungs

  • breathlessness on exertion

  • breathlessness while lying flat

ICMR data shows heart disease as a major contributor to unexplained breathlessness.

 

Coronary Artery Disease

Reduced blood supply to the heart can cause:

  • breathlessness

  • chest discomfort

  • fatigue

This may occur even without chest pain in some individuals.

 

Blood and Metabolic Causes

Anemia

Low hemoglobin reduces oxygen delivery.

Common symptoms include:

  • fatigue

  • breathlessness on mild activity

  • pale skin

NFHS-5 highlights anemia as highly prevalent in India.

 

Thyroid Disorders

Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic demand, causing breathlessness.

Hypothyroidism may contribute indirectly through weight gain and reduced stamina.

 

Lung Circulation Disorders

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot in the lungs causes sudden, severe breathlessness.

This is a medical emergency and may be accompanied by:

  • chest pain

  • coughing blood

  • fainting

Immediate treatment is critical.

 

Lifestyle-Related Causes

Obesity

Excess body weight restricts lung expansion.

Breathlessness occurs due to:

  • increased oxygen demand

  • reduced lung volumes

Weight management improves breathing efficiency.

 

Sedentary Lifestyle

Poor physical conditioning reduces respiratory muscle strength.

Even mild exertion may cause breathlessness.

 

Environmental and Occupational Factors

Air Pollution

Pollutants irritate airways and reduce lung function.

Urban populations experience higher rates of breathlessness.

Workplace Exposure

Dust, chemicals and fumes increase respiratory risk.

Protective measures are essential in high-risk occupations.

When Shortness of Breath Is a Warning Sign

Seek urgent care if breathlessness:

  • starts suddenly

  • worsens rapidly

  • occurs at rest

  • is associated with chest pain, bluish lips or confusion

These may indicate life-threatening conditions.

 

How Shortness of Breath Is Diagnosed

Evaluation may include:

  • physical examination

  • chest imaging

  • blood tests

  • lung function tests

  • heart evaluation

Diagnosis focuses on identifying the root cause.

 

Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Care

Prevention includes:

  • regular physical activity

  • pollution protection

  • smoking cessation

  • weight control

  • managing chronic conditions

Preventive healthcare reduces long-term risk.

 

Importance of Early Medical Evaluation

Delayed diagnosis can worsen outcomes, especially in:

  • heart disease

  • lung infections

  • anemia

Early care improves treatment success.

 

Conclusion

Shortness of breath causes range from temporary exertion and anxiety to serious heart, lung and blood disorders. While occasional breathlessness may be harmless, persistent or sudden symptoms should never be ignored. Understanding the underlying causes and seeking timely medical evaluation can prevent complications and save lives. Paying attention to changes in breathing is an essential step toward protecting overall health and wellbeing.

 

References

  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Respiratory and Cardiac Health Reports

  • World Health Organization (WHO) – Breathlessness and Chronic Disease Guidelines

  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Anemia and Respiratory Health Data

  • Lancet – Dyspnea Evaluation and Outcomes Research

  • NITI Aayog – Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Reports

  • Statista – Respiratory Disease and Air Pollution Trends

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