How to Determine Risk for Type II Diabetes

Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with Type II, Adult Onset Diabetes, but only after being hospitalized with vasculitis. Had I known the risk factors, I could have changed my lifestyle to decrease my chances of becoming diabetic. Although millions of American have heard of both Type I and Type II Diabetes, many adults do not know whether they are at risk for prediabetes and Type II Diabetes. This article covers those risk factors, which can be precursors to contracting Type II Diabetes. With prediabetes, blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, yet not high enough for you to be clinically diagnosed with diabetes.

Things You'll Need

• Knowledge of your family medical history

Instructions

1. Are you over the age of 45? I contracted Type II Diabetes at the age of 40 and possibly had prediabetes conditions before that.

2. 

   Are you obese? Obesity is one major cause of Type II Diabetes. This is why it is important for you to provide nutritional meals and snacks for your children and try and avoid fast food restaurants and chains as much as possible. Losing even 10 percent of your body weight can reduce your risk of developing Type II Diabetes.

3. Do you have a parent or sibling with diabetes? If you do, you should contact your doctor and set up an appointment to be tested. If you do not have diabetes, you could still possibly have prediabetes. Some people may call this being borderline diabetic.

4. 

   Have you had, or do you currently have, gestational diabetes? This is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Or have you had a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds? I had gestational diabetes during my last pregnancy, although it cleared up after my son's birth, and my middle daughter weighed 10 lbs. 8 oz.. If you have gestational diabetes, discuss the implications with your doctor.

5. 

   Do you exercise less than three times per week? Exercise helps boost the body's ability to use blood glucose (sugar). You should exercise daily, even if it only means taking a walk or fast walking, swimming, gardening or engaging in similar activities if you cannot work in a regular exercise routine.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have, or have had, gestational diabetes, discuss the condition with your doctor and ask for more information on prediabetes and the future risk it may entail.

• It never hurts to have your doctor check your blood glucose level when you go in for a checkup, especially if you are at risk for contracting Type II Diabetes.

• Make sure your doctor knows you family medical history.

• Forty-one million people ages 40 to 74 have prediabetes. Many of these people will develop full blown Type II diabetes.

• Prediabetes, like diabetes, raises your risk of stroke or heart disease.

• Over time, the high blood glucose levels associated with Type II Diabetes affect blood vessels throughout the body, which can lead to cardiovascular problems, nerve and kidney damage and even blindness.

• Most people with prediabetes do not suffer any symptons.