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Causes of Diabetes 2

According to the American Diabetes Association website, 20.8 million people have diabetes. This is seven percent of the American population. Of those, 90 to 95 percent have type 2 diabetes. However, there are 6.2 million people unaware that they have diabetes. Symptoms are often subtle and blamed on other illnesses. Prevention is possible for some. For others, type 2 diabetes is likely because of family history and because of membership in high-risk ethnic groups.

  1. Genetics

    • Type 2 diabetes tends to run in families, so if your mother, father or siblings have diabetes, you are likely to develop it. If you are African-American, Hispanic, Native American or Pan-Asian, you are also at high risk of developing the disease. Doctors will ask if members of your family have diabetes. If they do, the doctor may prescribe a fasting test to determine your blood sugar levels.

    Obesity

    • If your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 25, you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Losing 10 to 15 pounds lowers blood sugar levels. It also lowers blood pressure, another concern for people who are at risk of diabetes. If you improve your BMI, exercise becomes easier as well.

    Inactivity

    • When you exercise, your body uses sugar or glucose for energy. A person who exercises regularly improves body metabolism and stabilizes blood sugar levels. Inactive people run a risk of too much blood sugar staying in the bloodstream where it will circulate to all the organ systems of the body.

    Diet

    • High-sugar diets and diets high in other carbohydrates cause blood sugar levels to rise. Carbohydrates are the first foods to turn into sugar for energy. If you consume too many carbohydrates, your body cannot move the sugar into blood cells. The sugar stays in the bloodstream. Eventually, you will become insulin intolerant, because the insulin used to move the sugar into the cells cannot effectively work. Carbohydrates include bread, cereal, starchy vegetables, pasta, rice, and most fast food.

    Gestational

    • According to the American Diabetic Association, gestational diabetes--diabetes that occurs during pregnancy--affects four percent of pregnant women. Some pregnant women become insulin resistant, causing high blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes usually disappears after the pregnancy. However, during the pregnancy, it is important to watch your diet, exercise and take any medication the doctor prescribes.

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