Type 2 diabetes is not always avoidable, but many patients can reduce their risk factors successfully in order to stay healthy. Understanding the risks can help you to make better decisions for your long term health.
About Type 2 Diabetes
Glucose is a type of sugar that is located in the bloodstream. It supplies the cells in your body with energy. Your pancreas makes insulin, which circulates through the bloodstream to lower the amount of glucose. If glucose builds up in the bloodstream, the pancreas is forced to produce more until it is unable to keep up. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas does not produce enough.
Risks
Many seemingly healthy individuals develop type 2 diabetes. However, these are the most common risks:
- Family history – You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if a family member, specifically a parent or sibling, has the condition.
- Obesity – Being overweight results in more fatty tissue, and causes cells to be more resistant to insulin. Patients who carry their fat around their abdomen are especially at risk.
- Lack of physical activity – Exercise uses up the glucose in your body for energy. A lack of activity contributes to the buildup of glucose.
- Older age – Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases as you get older.
- Unhealthy diet
- High blood pressure
- A history of gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Impaired glucose tolerance – Also referred to as pre-diabetes, this is when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes.
Considerations
Type 2 diabetes does not usually develop suddenly—it is gradual. Watch for signs of the condition, such as increased hunger and thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, frequent urination, and darkened patches of skin.
Type 2 diabetes is very serious. You should not ignore the warning signs, and you need to be mindful of the risks. Complications from the condition can affect the heart, eyes, kidneys, and more. Talk to your doctor if you find you are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes or if you experience any symptoms.
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