There are no clear statistics on how long it takes for diabetes to go from pre-diabetes to post-diabetes. Patients who are able to control their blood glucose aggressively and do not develop serious complications may not develop post-diabetes for life, while patients who have poor long-term glycemic control may quickly develop post-diabetes. Prediabetes generally refers to impaired fasting glucose and abnormal glucose tolerance. Patients with impaired fasting glucose and abnormal glucose tolerance who do not undergo any intervention may eventually develop diabetes. Pre-diabetes can be avoided or delayed from developing diabetes by dietary control and appropriate exercise. Late diabetes is generally defined as complications of diabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular lesions and other chronic complications. Once diagnosed with diabetes one needs dietary control, appropriate exercise and, if necessary, glucose-lowering medication to keep blood glucose within a reasonable range. People who actively control their blood glucose may not progress to the later stages in their lifetime, and those who do not may quickly progress to the later stages. Patients diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes should actively cooperate with their doctors and maintain a healthy lifestyle to help improve their prognosis.