Know your Diabetes Risk?
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Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases in the world. Currently, 1 out of every 9 adults has diabetes. Certain precautions and a change in lifestyle can prevent this serious health problem.
Causes and Symptoms of Diabetes
Symptoms :
Causes The causes of diabetes mellitus are unclear, however, there seem to be both hereditary (genetic factors passed on in families) and environmental factors involved. Research has shown that some people who develop diabetes have common genetic markers. In Type I diabetes, the immune system, the body's defense system against infection, is believed to be triggered by a virus or another microorganism that destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. In Type II diabetes, age, obesity, and family history of diabetes play a role. In Type II diabetes, the pancreas may produce enough insulin, however, cells have become resistant to the insulin produced and it may not work as effectively. Symptoms of Type II diabetes can begin so gradually that a person may not know that he or she has it. Early signs are lethargy, extreme thirst, and frequent urination. Other symptoms may include sudden weight loss, slow wound healing, urinary tract infections, gum disease, or blurred vision. It is not unusual for Type II diabetes to be detected while a patient is seeing a doctor about another health concern that is actually being caused by the yet undiagnosed diabetes. Individuals who are at high risk of developing Type II diabetes mellitus include people who: are obese (more than 20% above their ideal body weight) have a relative with diabetes mellitus belong to a high-risk ethnic population (African-American, Native American, Hispanic, or Native Hawaiian) have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or have delivered a baby weighing more than 9 lbs (4 kg) have high blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or above) have a high density lipoprotein cholesterol level less than or equal to 35 mg/dL and/or a triglyceride level greater than or equal to 250 mg/dL have had impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose on previous testing Several common medications can impair the body's use of insulin, causing a condition known as secondary diabetes
