What causes Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes is not definitively known, but there appears to be at least two general factors that increase the likelihood of developing diabetes. The first factor is genetics and family medical history, who in your family has diabetes? If one parent has diabetes, your chances of developing diabetes doubles. The second factor is environmental. Several studies have indicated that exposure to cow's milk, wheat products or intestinal viruses in the first few months of a baby's life increase the child's chances of developing Type 1 diabetes.
With the possible exception of environmental triggers, why Type 1 diabetes happens is relatively difficult to ascertain. But unlike Type 1 diabetes, risk factors for Type 2 diabetes have been more readily identified. Genetics and family medical history play a large role in whether an individual will become diabetic. Fortunately, some of these risk factors can be prevented or reversed prior to the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Obesity is probably the highest risk factor when it comes to Type 2 diabetes. According to the National Center of Health Statistics, almost 60 million adults are within weight levels defined as being obese. The Center's study also reveals that the number of children who are overweight is rising at alarming numbers. Obesity in children has tripled since 1980. Even more alarming is that the number of children who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes has also risen.
Leading an inactive, sedentary lifestyle is one of the worse things for someone predisposed to diabetes. Not only does inactivity contribute to overall poor health, it is a major cause of rising obesity rates. Exercising daily will greatly enhance your health with the added bonus of reducing risks factors for developing diabetes.
Eating poorly or the wrong foods will also contribute to obesity. Studies show that almost 90% of people with Type 2 diabetes are also clinically obese. Lack of adequate fiber in the diet and too much fat and simple carbohydrates increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Another factor is age-related. As we get older, our bodies become more inefficient in carrying out certain functions, including the production of insulin. While age in and of itself is not a risk factor, it does increase the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes even in relatively thin persons. As we age, so do the cells in our bodies which eventually become more resistant to insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 50% of Type II diabetes occur in persons over 55 years of age.
Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Metabolic Syndrome is a group of risk factors that include central obesity (characterized by excessive fatty tissue around the abdomen), blood fat disorders such as high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol, glucose intolerance and elevated blood pressure. Having high blood pressure is both a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and a complication of diabetes. People with hypertension are more than twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood pressure. High cholesterol (high LDL and triglyceride: so-called "bad cholesterols") levels not only place you at increased risk for developing diabetes and it is also associated with risk of heart disease.
Type 2 diabetes increases by up to 50 percent in women who have diabetes during pregnancy. Known as gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM, it places both mother and child at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes in later years.
Certain ethnic groups are at higher risk than others for developing Type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans and Asian American/Pacific Islanders all are at greater risk for diabetes.
Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people. Denise Durbin explains what makes Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes so dangerous and how to tell what the symptoms of diabetes are at DiabetesCareFAQs.com
By Denise Durbin
With the possible exception of environmental triggers, why Type 1 diabetes happens is relatively difficult to ascertain. But unlike Type 1 diabetes, risk factors for Type 2 diabetes have been more readily identified. Genetics and family medical history play a large role in whether an individual will become diabetic. Fortunately, some of these risk factors can be prevented or reversed prior to the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Obesity is probably the highest risk factor when it comes to Type 2 diabetes. According to the National Center of Health Statistics, almost 60 million adults are within weight levels defined as being obese. The Center's study also reveals that the number of children who are overweight is rising at alarming numbers. Obesity in children has tripled since 1980. Even more alarming is that the number of children who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes has also risen.
Leading an inactive, sedentary lifestyle is one of the worse things for someone predisposed to diabetes. Not only does inactivity contribute to overall poor health, it is a major cause of rising obesity rates. Exercising daily will greatly enhance your health with the added bonus of reducing risks factors for developing diabetes.
Eating poorly or the wrong foods will also contribute to obesity. Studies show that almost 90% of people with Type 2 diabetes are also clinically obese. Lack of adequate fiber in the diet and too much fat and simple carbohydrates increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Another factor is age-related. As we get older, our bodies become more inefficient in carrying out certain functions, including the production of insulin. While age in and of itself is not a risk factor, it does increase the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes even in relatively thin persons. As we age, so do the cells in our bodies which eventually become more resistant to insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 50% of Type II diabetes occur in persons over 55 years of age.
Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Metabolic Syndrome is a group of risk factors that include central obesity (characterized by excessive fatty tissue around the abdomen), blood fat disorders such as high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol, glucose intolerance and elevated blood pressure. Having high blood pressure is both a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and a complication of diabetes. People with hypertension are more than twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood pressure. High cholesterol (high LDL and triglyceride: so-called "bad cholesterols") levels not only place you at increased risk for developing diabetes and it is also associated with risk of heart disease.
Type 2 diabetes increases by up to 50 percent in women who have diabetes during pregnancy. Known as gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM, it places both mother and child at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes in later years.
Certain ethnic groups are at higher risk than others for developing Type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans and Asian American/Pacific Islanders all are at greater risk for diabetes.
Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people. Denise Durbin explains what makes Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes so dangerous and how to tell what the symptoms of diabetes are at DiabetesCareFAQs.com
By Denise Durbin
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