There are various risk factors that contribute to a person developing diabetes mellitus, which is when too much sugar is present in the blood. Some risk factors are controllable, but others are genetic.
By paying close attention to any symptoms and trying to minimize various risks, some forms of diabetes can be avoided. There are multiple types of diabetes, including prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Risks Relating to Prediabetes
This is essentially a warning to let the person know that some lifestyle changes are necessary in order to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Factors that contribute to developing prediabetes are being overweight, not exercising enough, high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol.
By altering course and making a few small changes, you can avoid any further development into type 2 diabetes. Losing weight and keeping it off will significantly affect your health positively.
Simply eating smaller meals, eating healthier foods with less fat, and drinking water instead of sugary beverages can help fight off prediabetes. Reducing glucose (sugar) levels and calories is key to stopping the development of diabetes in its tracks.
What Happens in Type 2 Diabetes
If prediabetes is not controlled, it can turn into type 2 diabetes. By the time type 2 diabetes develops, the body has become resistant to insulin – which is normally produced in the pancreas, but the pancreas cannot manufacture enough insulin to maintain healthy sugar levels anymore. When insulin cannot be processed properly, the body sends the extra glucose into the bloodstream instead of to the cells where it is needed.
A higher body mass index (BMI) means a person is carrying extra weight, primarily in the form of fat cells. The greater the percentage of fat cells present in a body, the more resistant to pancreas-produced insulin they become.
Increasing physical activity will help you control your weight and make your body use the extra glucose for energy. This decreases the resistance of the cells to insulin and makes the body perform the way it should.
Type 1 Diabetes Risks
While the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, having a family history of the disease – especially if a parent or a sibling has type 1 diabetes – increases the chances of developing type 1 diabetes. This can be a more serious form of diabetes mellitus than type 2 diabetes, and it usually appears during childhood.
Family members (parent or grandparent) with type 1 diabetes often have the presence of diabetes autoantibodies, which causes a greater risk of a descendant also developing type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes cannot be avoided because it is an inherited condition, but it can be successfully managed.
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
This is when a pregnant woman develops diabetes during her pregnancy. The hormones that your body naturally produces for the baby actually make your body’s own cells more insulin-resistant, so you may require diabetes treatment during the pregnancy.
This happens because too much glucose is flowing through your bloodstream and not enough of it is getting to your cells. This type of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born.
Comprehensive Medical Clinic in Texoma
Here at Carrus Health, our goal is to keep you and your family as healthy as possible at every stage of life. If you or someone you love is experiencing any unusual symptoms, or if you are looking for a primary care physician, we are here for you in Sherman, Texas – in the heart of Texoma.
To schedule an appointment with an experienced and caring doctor, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (903) 870-2600 or fill out our online contact form now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner!
