20/09/2023 / Endocrinology & Diabetes

Are Dizziness and Excessive Sweating Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes?

Know the relation between dizziness, excessive sweating and pre-diabetes in this article. Also know how to identify and effectively handle pre-diabetes indicators for optimal well-being.

Are Dizziness and Excessive Sweating Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes?
Mohammad AqdusMohammad Aqdus

Mohammad Aqdus

Medical Student, Research Associate

Table of Content

Introduction

India is considered as Diabetic Capital of the world. India accounts for 17% per cent of the total number of diabetes patients in the world. There are currently close to 80 million people with diabetes in India and this number is expected to increase to 135 million by 2045.

According to the National Urban Diabetes survey, the estimated prevalence of prediabetes in India is 14 per cent.

When your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not quite reaching Type 2 diabetes levels yet; you have what's called pre-diabetes. Ignoring pre-diabetes can lead to some severe health complications such as heart disease or Type 2 diabetes making it vital to manage properly from its onset stages. 

Here's the dilemma - there aren't many noticeable symptoms in the early stages except for certain signals like dizziness or excessive sweating caused by changes in blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Early recognition of these signals goes a long way towards effectively managing prediabetes before situations take a turn for the worse as we'll discuss later on in this article. Are you aware that simple changes in diet and exercise can help you control pre-diabetes symptoms and slow down the progression to Type 2 diabetes? 

Keep reading as we delve into this topic in detail.

What is Pre-Diabetes?

Pre-diabetes is a prevalent yet serious medical issue that plagues millions across the globe. When your body resists insulin, a hormone regulating sugar level in the bloodstream- this condition arises wherein glucose remains elevated but not quite hitting the diabetic classification threshold just yet.

Risk factors linked with developing pre-diabetic status include 

  • an obese physique 

  • Genetic predisposition.

It's not always apparent initially as there are no immediate symptoms, therefore regular testing is necessary for those high-risk individuals.

If left untreated and unmanaged it could lead to type 2 diabetes complications and heart diseases too. It's important to understand the basics of pre-diabetes and take measures for its prevention or management to secure long-term health.

Common Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes

Preventing type 2 diabetes starts with regular screenings for pre-diabetes. There are often no signs of the condition, hence early detection is key if you're considered high-risk. 

Common Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes

Nonetheless, keep an eye out for:

  • Increased thirst: excess thirst and hunger pangs as well as fatigue or feeling weak throughout your day 

  • Blurry vision: blurry vision episodes with bouts of dizziness/lightheadedness. 

  • Excessive sweating: excessive sweating at odd times might occur together.

  • sensations of tingling in your extremities such as your feet/hands.

Dizziness as a Symptom of Pre-Diabetes

Are you experiencing dizzy spells but cannot pinpoint why? If you have been diagnosed with or suspect having pre-diabetes this symptom could tie down several underlying factors contributing to its development. In any case, seeking professional advice from a licensed healthcare practitioner should be your priority before taking any action by yourself first! Take note of these essential aspects:

Dizziness as a Symptom of Pre-Diabetes
  • Blood sugar level fluctuations: Inconsistencies in blood sugar levels both high and low could trigger dizzy spells in people with prediabetes.

  • The body has difficulty regulating these levels due to the condition, which can lead to unpleasant sensations for sufferers.

  • Medications: Furthermore certain medications that physicians prescribe may also produce dizziness as an unwanted side effect when managing a pre-diabetic condition.

Don't take these symptoms lightly since they may point out severe complications like diabetic neuropathy.

Excessive Sweating as a Symptom of Pre-Diabetes

Is nightly excessive sweating getting in the way of your good night's sleep? This symptom warrants attention as it could be pointing towards possible pre-diabetic concerns.

You might have heard about sweat is one of our body's natural ways of cooling itself down; however, too much sweat tells a different story altogether, indicating:

  • Trouble regulating blood sugar levels: This is common in folks with pre-diabetic conditions and results in autonomic dysfunction leading towards various other related symptoms.

Other Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes to Watch Out For

When it comes to monitoring our health it's important not to overlook the warning signs that something may be amiss. In the case of pre-diabetes, several symptoms can indicate this condition is developing. For instance, if you're experiencing 

  • fatigue or a lack of energy, even when you've had enough sleep and rest it may be worth investigating further. 

  • changes in your vision (blurriness or cloudiness)

  • Frequent urination

  • slow healing of cuts and scrapes 

  • chronic thirst or hunger despite eating normally. 

Remember that early detection is key when it comes to managing prediabetes - be sure to consult your doctor if any of these signs sound familiar.

Testing and Diagnosis of Pre-Diabetes

If you think you have symptoms or there's suspicion of having an underlying health condition like pre-diabetes prioritizing testing for accurate diagnosis is essential. There are several tests performed to determine if there are any indicators of possible onset of pre-diabetic symptoms:

Testing and Diagnosis of Pre-Diabetes
  • Fasting Plasma Glucose Test: Measures your blood sugar levels after fasting overnight indicating readings between 100-125 mg/dL as an early signal for probable emergence of prediabetes. 

  • Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: Can be taken by drinking a sugary solution and measuring blood sugar levels two hours later displaying readings between 140-199 mg/dL signalling potential onset of prediabetic stage 

  • Haemoglobin A1c Test: Evaluates your average blood sugar levels over the last three months revealing any reading from 5.7-6.4% as an indicator for possible onset of diabetes risk factor that needs further monitoring and testing by medical professionals.

Prevention and Management of Pre-Diabetes

If you have been told you have pre-diabetes you must take action immediately to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Some simple lifestyle modifications can make a significant difference:

Prevention and Management of Pre-Diabetes
  • Eat healthy: Opt for healthful meals that are low in sugar and carbohydrates; focus on consuming unprocessed whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and good fats instead. 

  • Engage in physical activities: Regularly engage in physical activities and maintain a healthy weight by aiming for a minimum of half an hour of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

  • Quit smoking: Smoking is detrimental to those with prediabetes so quit smoking right away

  • Take medications: Take the medication recommended by your doctor if required for effective management of pre-diabetes symptoms.

In addition to lifestyle changes there are other methods for managing prediabetes effectively:

  • Track blood sugar: Track blood sugar levels frequently enough that they remain within an optimal range.

  • Regular checkups: keep up with regular medical checkups so doctors can monitor progress and adjust treatment plans accordingly as needed.

  • Join a supportive group: If you're striving for lifestyle changes but struggling with keeping up motivation don't give up just yet! You may benefit from reaching out for outside help by joining a supportive community or seeking private counselling. 

These options offer an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar experiences along with professional guidance from experts who understand the complexities involved in change management. As author, Cindy Holbrook notes: "Whether its one on one therapy or group counselling – being surrounded by individuals dedicated to making positive changes will increase the chances of long-term success." 

When to See a Doctor

Pre-diabetes can be a silent threat to your health making it important to take preventive measures. Regular screenings are recommended for those who are at risk or experiencing symptoms of this condition. 

Consulting with a healthcare professional can guide how best to manage or prevent type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes or medication where necessary. 

Early detection is important as symptoms may go unnoticed until they're more severe leading to more serious complications down the road.

Take-Home Points

  • When your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not quite reaching Type 2 diabetes levels yet; you have what's called pre-diabetes

  • It's not always apparent initially as there are no immediate symptoms, therefore regular testing is necessary for those high-risk individuals

  • One should keep an eye on increased thirst, fatigue, and excessive sweating if someone has a risk factor for Prediabetes.

  • Dizziness and Sweating can occur when the blood sugar level fluctuates.

  • Regular checkups and monitoring are important when diagnosed with this Prediabetes. 

  • It is imperative for individuals who have an increased risk due to their age or obesity paired with high blood pressure or a family history of diabetes to get screened routinely for elevated sugar levels despite experiencing no symptoms initially. 

  • Taking measures such as maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and diet alongside seeking guidance from medical professionals when necessary can help manage high-risk patients effectively.


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