People with prediabetes need to change how they live: eat healthier, cut out sugar and move more. That was the advice of doctors at an expert meeting on the eve of World Diabetes Day, which falls on 14 November. The Bulgarian Society of Endocrinology and Merck Bulgaria organised the event.
This year's theme is "Act early against diabetes".
More than 850,000 people in Bulgaria have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, according to the National Health Information System. Prof. Tsvetalina Tankova said one big problem is that about 40% of patients do not know they have it.
In prediabetes, blood sugar is above normal but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. There are two main forms: impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. It usually has no clear symptoms.
For that reason, doctors warn people not to ignore any abnormal blood sugar reading. They advise tests for people who have relatives with diabetes, a large waist, tiredness or strong hunger. Prof. Tankova said anyone who is overweight has a higher risk of diabetes.
Up to 70% of people with prediabetes may develop diabetes, said Assoc. Prof. Nevena Chakarova. She described primary prevention as an effort to live healthily and called on people to learn more about the disease.
Specialists recommend more fruit and vegetables in the diet, and no desserts or sweetened drinks. They put special stress on physical activity.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Alexander Shinkov said diabetes is a problem for many people around the world. Changes in the body come on slowly and often lead to serious harm. Doctors explained that the disease damages small and large blood vessels and raises the risk of heart and vascular disease.
Specialists warned that diabetes should be treated only after seeing a doctor, and that people should not take medicines on their own.