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Type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes risk factors

Type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes risk factors

Type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes risk factors

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body does not produce or use insulin properly. Different types of diabetes have different risk factors and effects on blood sugar.

1 in 4 people with diabetes does not know they have the disease.

Knowing the risk factors for diabetes is important to prevent serious consequences and damage. Because prediabetes is often asymptomatic, taking steps to reduce risk can prevent or prevent the disease.

In this article, we’ll look at the three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, and their main risk factors.

Risk factors for type 1 diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin or produce enough of this hormone. This condition occurs in about 5% of people with diabetes.

Doctors treat type 1 diabetes with an insulin injection or an insulin pump.

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Risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:

Family history: Having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The risk is even higher if both parents have type 1 diabetes.

Age: Type 1 diabetes is common in young adults and children. Children are usually under the age of 14 at the time of diagnosis. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age although it is rare for type 1 diabetes to develop late in childhood.

Genetics: Carrying certain genes can increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Other risk factors for type 1 diabetes are being investigated, for example this 2012 study suggests that geographical distance from the equator may increase risk. However, further research is needed to confirm other risk factors.

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Risk factors for type 2 diabetes

In type 2, the body can still produce insulin but cannot use the hormone as efficiently as it should.

Normally insulin allows cells to absorb glucose. However, these cells may not respond well to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. If the blood sugar is too high, type 2 diabetes may develop.

Type 2 diabetes usually goes through a stage called pre-diabetes, in which a person can prevent the disease from developing through healthy lifestyle choices.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, people typically treat type 2 diabetes with oral non-insulin medications. However, if type 2 diabetes does not respond to these options, insulin injections may be necessary.

There are two types of risk factors for type 2 diabetes: those that a person can control and those that cannot.

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Irreversible risk factors

There are several risk factors for type 2 diabetes, some of which are irreversible, including:

Family history of the disease

Racial groups, such as African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Native, or Pacific Islander, have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than other groups.

Over 45 years of age acanthosis nigricans, a condition in which dark, thick, velvety skin develops around the neck or nose

History of gestational diabetes

Preventable risk factors

There are several preventable risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including:

People can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by changing some of these lifestyle factors, such as improving their diet and exercising.

Calculating the risk of type 2 diabetes

The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has a tool that people can use to calculate their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

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The most important component of diabetes risk is BMI. BMI is not the best indicator of health, but a high BMI can be an indicator of diabetes risk.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes

Most women with gestational diabetes have never had diabetes before.

Once a woman develops gestational diabetes, it can develop again in future pregnancies. Also, patients with gestational diabetes have a sevenfold risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The risk factor for gestational diabetes is almost the same as for other types of diabetes. These include:

Currently, there is no cure for diabetes. However, anyone can reverse diabetes or go into remission.

Getting your blood sugar back to normal for at least a year without medication means your diabetes is in remission.

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Early detection and appropriate treatment can help prevent or delay complications related to diabetes. Knowing your risk factors can help diagnose and manage diabetes before it becomes a problem.

People cannot avoid certain risk factors, such as age or race, but they can take steps to reduce other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity and poor diet.

Controlling these risk factors can help control the effects or risk of developing diabetes.

These steps are:

If you have type 2 diabetes, your parents, children and siblings are also at risk. If you haven’t already, you should get a doctor’s opinion about your relative’s diabetes risk.

Way closer

If left untreated, it can cause serious damage. Over time, it can lead to blindness, kidney failure, stroke, heart failure, loss of limbs and reduced life expectancy.

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Diabetes rarely causes early symptoms, so knowing and managing risk factors is often the only chance for individuals to avoid it.

Once you know the risk of developing diabetes, you should take steps to prevent or delay health problems.

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