Prediabetes and Diabetes Prevention

Prediabetes means blood glucose is above the healthy range but has not reached the diagnostic range for diabetes. It commonly develops when body tissues become less responsive to insulin and pancreatic beta cells can no longer increase insulin secretion enough to compensate. Insulin resistance is especially associated with excess visceral adipose tissue, inactivity, genetic susceptibility, and aging. The liver continues releasing glucose between meals, while skeletal muscle takes up less glucose after meals. At first, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin. Over time, beta-cell function declines and glucose rises. This process is not fixed. Weight reduction, physical activity, improved eating patterns, and treatment of associated cardiovascular risks can improve insulin sensitivity and delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. Some people return to normal glucose levels; others progress despite good efforts because risk is shaped by genetics, medications, illness, and beta-cell reserve. Prediabetes is usually silent. A person may feel entirely well while vascular risk is already increasing, which is why screening and follow-up matter.