Diabetes is a condition where your body does not make enough insulin or is unable to utilize it properly. You can be born with diabetes or develop it later in life. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is usually diagnosed during childhood. While Type 1 diabetes is not preventable, medical intervention and lifestyle changes can help manage it. Type 2 diabetes normally occurs during adult years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all cases of diabetes. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to prevent getting Type 2 diabetes. The first step is to understand the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and then take steps to control them.
Obesity and Inactivity
If you are overweight, your body may no longer be able to make and use insulin properly, says the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. The more you eat, the more insulin your body needs, and it may not be able to keep up with the demand. For reasons not well understood, carrying extra weight around your waist makes your risk even higher. Eating a healthy diet along with getting regular exercise can reduce your risk. Exercise can help your body use insulin and it is an important component of a weight loss program. You should aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week to help reduce your risk of diabetes.
Ethnicity
According to the Mayo Clinic anyone can get diabetes, but it seems to be more prevalent among blacks, Hispanics, Latinos, American Indians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. More research is needed to determine the link. People of these ethnicities need to be extra careful about dietary choices.
Family History
If your parents or a sibling have type 2 diabetes, your risk is higher as well. This risk gets higher as you reach age 45 and older. A family history of this disease does not mean you have to get it. Making healthy lifestyle choices such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well balanced diet, controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and getting regular exercise can all help to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Pre-diabetes
If your blood glucose levels are just slightly higher then normal,you may have pre-diabetes. If you are at risk for diabetes, the American Diabetes Association suggests getting tested on a regular basis. Diabetes can be present and cause damage without producing any symptoms. A blood glucose test may be the only way to know. Your physician can do a fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). They are both simple tests that can detect if your blood sugar levels are getting high. If you have pre-diabetes, your blood sugar levels are starting to rise but are not high enough to diagnose you with diabetes. If you can catch it at this stage, you and your doctor can form a plan to lower your risk.
