subject: Are You High Risk For Diabetes? [print this page] There are different types of diabetes and each has its own conditions and treatments. Type 2 diabetes share similar symptoms with the other type. And it can be caused by family history and genetics as well. Nonetheless, as in most diseases prevention is better than cure. However, before you can prevent diabetes, you need to know the different factors that add up to it.
Obesity
This emerges on the top of the list of risk factors for type 2 diabetes. If you belong to the 30% of adults who are already diagnosed with obesity, then you better take extra care and start working out a healthy diet. Greater weight means higher risk because fat interferes with the bodys ability to use insulin.
Sedentary lifestyle
This kind of lifestyle will increase further obesity. The failure to engage in activities is damaging to the health. This together with obesity increases the risk of diabetes diagnosis. The explanation is that muscle cells have more insulin receptors than fat cells, so a person can decrease insulin resistance by exercising. Being more active also lowers blood sugar levels by helping insulin to be more effective.
Unhealthy eating habits
Nine percent of those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are also diagnosed overweight. Unhealthy eating leads to obesity. Again, too much fat is dangerous to the body. If you eat more fat than fiber you are more likely to get diabetes. Remember that eating right can turn the diagnosis around other than preventing it from ever occurring.
Genetics
African Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans all have a higher than normal rate of type 2 diabetes. Having a genetic disposition towards type 2 is not a guarantee of a diagnosis however. Lifestyle still plays a more important part in determining who gets diabetes.
Increased age
Unfortunately, as people grow older the risks for this disease increases. Theories revolve around the pancreas aging along, making it pump less insulin as efficiently as it used to. Other than that, the cells too age and become resistant to insulin as well.
High blood pressure and cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes is not the only sickness you can get from these two bad health conditions. Not only do they damage your heart vessels but they are two key components in metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms including obesity, a high fat diet, and lack of exercise. Having metabolic syndrome increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. For more information visit to our site at http://www.us-med.com
