Diabetes is a widespread health concern in our modern world. According to data from the International Diabetes Federation in 2017, globally, almost 9% of adults aged 20-79 have diabetes. Alarmingly, it’s estimated that half of these individuals are unaware they have the condition, leading to potential health risks and complications down the line. Before diabetes fully develops, there’s often a preceding stage known as pre-diabetes. Recognizing and addressing pre-diabetes is crucial because, in many cases, it can progress into type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is broadly categorized into type 1, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and gestational diabetes. The methods for diagnosing both pre-diabetes and diabetes rely on assessing glucose levels. Common diagnostic tests include the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). For day-to-day monitoring, many individuals with diabetes use a glucometer to quickly and relatively accurately measure their blood glucose. Research is also exploring less invasive and advanced techniques for glucose monitoring like glucose-sensing patches and breath analysis.
Despite extensive research into diabetes, the precise molecular mechanisms behind type 2 diabetes are still not fully understood. It’s known that both genetic predispositions and epigenetic factors play a role in its development. The complications arising from diabetes are generally classified as either microvascular or macrovascular. Microvascular complications include retinopathy (eye damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), and neuropathy (nerve damage). Macrovascular complications involve more significant blood vessels and include conditions like stroke, cardiovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Currently, there is no definitive cure for diabetes. However, effectively managing pre-diabetes has shown considerable success in preventing the progression to full-blown type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle interventions are particularly effective in preventing pre-diabetes from developing into T2DM. Focusing on early pre-diabetes diagnosis and adopting healthy lifestyle changes offers a promising approach to mitigating the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and its associated health problems.
