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Several celebrities have publicly discussed their pre-diabetic experiences. From Hollywood actor Viola Davis to veteran actor Tom Hanks, who was diagnosed with pre-diabetics and became an advocate for diabetes education and awareness. The Oscar-winning actor was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and revealed that his blood sugar level rose in his 30s, indicating prediabetics. Also Read | Diabetes can damage your health. Know all the complications, prevention tips from experts
Pre-diabetics in young people
These celebrity stories highlight the importance of change in perception, education and lifestyle in pre-diabetic management. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sunismitha Rajamanya, a HOD consultant and HOD for internal medicine at Astor Whitefield Hospital in Bengaluru, stressed that prediabetic diabetes in young Indians is an increasingly concerning issue.
She said, “Prediabetic diabetes, where blood sugar levels not classified as type 2 diabetes are higher than normal, is an increasingly common diagnosis among young people in their 20s and 30s in India. As we see, prediabetes is increasing due to sedentary lifestyles, irregular eating habits, poor sleep.
She said, “Prediabetes is not a diagnosis. It's a warning signal. If you make the right changes, maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, and get the annual HBA1C test to completely reverse the risk factors.
What is prediabetic? Why is it dangerous?
Dr. Rajamanya said that prior to diabetes, symptoms are not recognized, making detection difficult. “You may feel completely full of energy, but managing your body's blood levels may already affect your health. If no action is taken, a typical person will develop diabetes within five to ten years.
Why are you interested in the HBA1C test?
Dr. Rajamanya said the HBA1C (glycation hemoglobin) test is a very simple blood test. “We provide an alternative method to calculate average blood glucose levels over the last two to three months. While fasting sugar tests assessed blood glucose levels, HBA1C provides a better snapshot of blood glucose levels over time.
According to the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Rajamanya will share the results of HBA1C and be used to determine:
hully less than 5.7% – Normal
⦿5.7% to 6.4% – Pre-diabetic
Over 6.5% – Diabetes
“If you're a young person with a history or problems with a family history of diabetics, high BMI, or PCOS for women, or a history or problem with metabolic diseases, we recommend doing the annual HBA1C test as a precaution,” she added.
Why are young Indians at risk?
According to Dr. Rajamanya, these factors play a role.
1. Carbohydrate-high diet + Long sitting rest: Most of the Indian diet of refined carbohydrates and sugar can lead to young adults with little movement and long desk time.
2. Stress Metabolic Effects + Deprived Sleep: Chronic stress and irregular sleep have metabolic effects, causing hormonal imbalances in the body and can negatively affect insulin sensitivity.
3. Health Reservation Failure: Many individuals under the age of 35 are not screened on a daily basis unless symptoms appear.
Signs that shouldn't be ignored
According to Dr. Rajamanya, there are no conclusive symptoms of pre-diabetes, but common signs include: It is recommended that you visit your doctor and test for these signs.
oble unknown cause fatigue
wearthisthistherthisthed thirsty or overly urinate
Changes in weight of seight daira
Cell Dark spots on the skin of the neck and armpits – nigricans of acanthosis
heal recurrent infection or wound that takes time to heal
Reader Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek advice from a doctor if you have any questions about your condition.
