Posted on December 24, 2007 in Diabetes FAQ
Many dread diabetes, although it need not be so. Precautions do help in dealing with a health condition and diabetes is no exception to this rule. Risk factors are there; if identified, one can try to prevent diabetes, although it may not be so in case it is hereditary or if you are ethnically pre - disposed. Age, sedentary lifestyles, obesity can cause diabetes and some of them can be taken care of. Knowing about the risk factors can prepare you well to either prevent diabetes or accept it.
Diabetes is a condition wherein the body either ceases or produces less of insulin, a hormone, which is required to convert sugar and other foods into energy. It cannot be cured, but can be controlled. Risk factors are there which cause it. Some are inherent and others are self-created. Which are the top risk factors that one needs to be much concerned about?
- Hereditary - This is a major cause. The genetic link in the case of Diabetes Type2 is stronger as compared to Diabetes Type 1. Family history does make a difference. If a blood relative is suffering from Type 2 diabetes, then chances are high that you may also suffer from it. If the person belongs to the immediate family like a sibling or a parent, then chances are even higher of acquiring it.
- Age - With age one can suffer from Diabetes type 2. The risk is higher particularly in the case of those above 45 years. While diabetes mostly occurs in older people, even children are also suffering from Diabetes 2. In fact this is of much concern these days. It is understood that in Canada, this problem is prevalent among aboriginal children
- Obesity - Excessive weight can also result in diabetes. Weight around the waist is not good. The BMI (Body Mass Index) is the indicator of Type 2 diabetes. One should keep one’s weight under control. More weight means a higher risk of insulin resistance. Fat affects the body’s capacity to use insulin. Exercise helps.
- Sedentary lifestyle - An active person burns off a lot of calories. Sedentary life-styles lead to other health problems such as heart diseases. One must participate in sports, walks, swimming, in other words, exercise a lot. Exercise helps you to control the blood sugar levels. If one is active, then the blood sugar is also low since the insulin is more effective
- Gestational Diabetes - Diabetes during pregnancy could mean diabetes at a later stage, although it may cease to exist immediately after pregnancy. This is so in the case of Diabetes Type 2. Even the child can suffer from diabetes
- Ethnicity- Belonging to a particular race can also pre-dispose you to diabetes. For example being Aboriginal, Latin American or Asian and African ancestry can be a risk factor for suffering from diabetes. These races have a high diabetes rate. The risk factors are higher as compared to those who are of Caucasian origin.
- High Cholesterol level - Too much of fatty food can be bad. It will increase your cholesterol levels and lead to other abnormalities such as cardiovascular problems.
Diabetes can be avoided to a certain degree, although sometimes it is not within your control. Dietary control, regular exercise can prevent it, but at times you are genetically predisposed and can do nothing about it. Being aware of the risk factors is advisable as it helps you to deal effectively with some of them.
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