Risk factors
While genetics play a role in predicting your risk for developing type 1, type 2
or gestational, the link is not as strong as with other diseases. Simply having
a parent, sibling or even a twin with the disease does not automatically predict
your chances of having or developing it. Instead, ethnicity, lifestyle changes and
even the climate are better indicators of risk.
Type 1
- Race - Caucasian or white children are at a higher risk for Type
- Blood make-up - Presence of islet cell antibodies in the blood. Islet
cells produce necessary hormones such as insulin. Islet cell antibodies attack islet
cells and can destroy their ability to produce these necessary hormones.
- Cold weather - Type 1 diabetes is found more often in colder climates
- Early diet - breast fed babies are less likely to develop Type 1
- Genetics - a family history of the disease increases the risk - especially
in combination of other risk factors.
Type 2
- Race - African Americans, Mexican Americans and Pima Indians have the highest
risk for Type 2.
- Lifestyle - high fat, low carbohydrate, fiber diets and a sedentary lifestyle
heavily contribute to risk factors for developing Type 2.
- Genetics - there is more evidence of a link to family history of Type 2
diabetes especially if lifestyle choices promote diabetes.
- Obesity - excess fat can inhibit insulin absorption
- Age - As the pancreas ages, it may produce less insulin.
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- History of gestational diabetes
Gestational
- Obesity - being overweight prior to and during pregnancy
- Age - women who become pregnant over the age of 30
- History - having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy; giving
birth to a large baby - more than 9 lbs, 14 oz, giving birth previously to a stillborn
baby or a baby with a birth defect
- Health issues - too much amniotic fluid, high blood pressure
- Genetics - family history of the disease
There are three types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational.
Type 1:
Type 1 strikes only about 5% to 10% of diabetics. Formerly called juvenile diabetes
because it affects children and young adults, this form of the disease occurs when
your body doesn't produce any of the insulin hormone. Insulin, which is produced
by the pancreas, is needed to transport glucose into your cells to convert it to
energy. Glucose must have insulin in order to enter the cells. If there is no insulin
in the body, the glucose accumulates at high levels in the blood stream and is eventually
eliminated through urine.
Type 2:
Type 2 is the most common form of the disease. It occurs when either your body doesn't
produce enough of the insulin hormone to help the glucose enter the cells or your
cells simply reject insulin. Glucose that can't enter the cell begins to accumulate
in the blood stream and must be eliminated through the urine.
Gestational:
Gestational is not necessarily a lifelong condition. It is usually diagnosed at
about 28 weeks into a pregnancy. Even women who never had the condition before pregnancy
can develop it and should carefully monitor their blood and follow their physicians
advice and guidelines.
Symptoms:
Type 1
- Unusually increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme fatigue and Irritability
Type 2
Unfortunately, many with type 2 experience no symptoms and don't know
they have the disease.
- Any of the Type 1 symptoms
- Frequent and recurring infections
on the skin, gum or bladder
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing cuts and bruises
- Numbness or "pins and needles"
sensation in the extremities (hands/feet)
- Recurring skin, gum, or bladder
infections
Gestational
Often, there are no outward symptoms, but at-risk individuals may notice
some or all of the following symptoms.
- Excessive weight gain uncommon
to the pregnancy
- Unusually high level of hunger
or thirst
- Excessive urination
- Frequent and recurring vaginal
infections
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