|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The exact causes of diabetes are not known, but certain factors that put a person at more risk of developing diabetes are known. These are called risk factors. Risk factors fall into two general categories—genetics and lifestyle.
Type 1 Diabetes Risk Factors
The causes of Type 1 diabetes are uncertain, but inheriting genes that predispose a person to Type 1 diabetes and environmental conditions that trigger the genes into action probably combine to cause it.
Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors
No one knows exactly what causes type 2 diabetes. But we do know that certain behaviors and conditions, called risk factors, can make people more likely to develop it. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
- Having a family member with type 2 diabetes
- Having pre-diabetes (a fasting blood sugar between 100-125 milligram per deciliter)
- Being overweight or obese (a body mass index of 25 or higher)
- Getting very little exercise
- Being over 45 years old
- Being Hispanic, Native American, African American, or Asian/Pacific Islander
- Having high blood pressure (140/90 mm hg in adults)
- Having HDL (good) cholesterol less than 35 mm/dl and/or a tgriglyceride level of 250 mg/dl or higher
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome
- Having had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy), or a baby weighing over 9 pounds
Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors
Gestational diabetes is caused by hormones produced by the placenta that prevent the mother's insulin from being effective. The risk factors for gestational diabetes include:
- BMI greater than 30
- A family history of diabetes
- Gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy
- Glucose in urine
Pre-Diabetes Risk Factors
The risk for diabetes and pre-diabetes increases with age. The ADA recommends blood glucose screening for everyone at age 45. People younger than age 45 should also talk with their health care provider about getting tested for diabetes or pre-diabetes, particularly if they have one or more of the following risk factors:
- Weight. Being overweight or obese is one of the most common risk factors for pre-diabetes. Approximately 80 percent of people who have type 2 diabetes are overweight.
- Inactivity. Being inactive or exercising fewer than three times a week increases your risk for diabetes.
- Family history. Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes increases your risk for disease.
- Race. Although it’s unclear why, people from certain ethnic backgrounds are at increased risk for diabetes, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Pacific Islanders.
- High blood pressure. People who have a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher are at increased risk.
- Blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. People with an HDL ("good") cholesterol level of 35 or lower, or a triglyceride level of 250 or higher, have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease which is significantly increased in all persons with diabetes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|