Risk Factors and Prevention :
Diabetes is a serious disease with no cure. Controlling blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help prevent or delay complications associated with diabetes such as heart disease and stroke. Much research is being done to find ways to treat diabetes.
Risk Factors
Type 1 diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is the result of the body's own immune system, which fights infections, turning against part of the body.
Currently, it is unclear what exactly causes the body's immune system to turn on itself attacking and destroying the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. There are genetic and environmental factors, such as viruses, involved in the development of type 1 diabetes. Researchers are working to identify these factors and prevent type 1 diabetes in those at risk.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with being overweight, high blood presure, and abnormal cholestorol levels. Being overweight can contribute to one's body using insulin correctly.
Diabetes is a serious disease with no cure. Controlling blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help prevent or delay complications associated with diabetes such as heart disease and stroke. Much research is being done to find ways to treat diabetes.
Risk Factors
Type 1 diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is the result of the body's own immune system, which fights infections, turning against part of the body.
Currently, it is unclear what exactly causes the body's immune system to turn on itself attacking and destroying the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. There are genetic and environmental factors, such as viruses, involved in the development of type 1 diabetes. Researchers are working to identify these factors and prevent type 1 diabetes in those at risk.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with being overweight, high blood presure, and abnormal cholestorol levels. Being overweight can contribute to one's body using insulin correctly.
Other risk factors include:
- Having a family history of diabetes, perhaps in a parent, brother, or sister.
- Being of African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American or Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino descent.
- Having a history of heart disease.
- Having a history of gestational diabetes.
- An inactive lifestyle
Prevention
Modest changes in lifestyle can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in those at risk. Here are some helpful tips.
- Maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight has many negative effects on one's health and can prevent the body from properly using insulin. It also can contribute to high blood pressure. Research shows that even a modest amount of weight loss can reduce one's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Make healthy food choices. What we put into our bodies has big consequences in our health and how our body functions. Eating healthy helps control body weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
- Be active. Find a physical activity you enjoy and that gets your heart pumping, perhaps walking briskly, dancing, or yard work. Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day 5 days a week - research shows that this helps to reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes.
👉 Introduction : Diabetes in Senior Citizens
👉 Risk Factors and Prevention
👉 Symptoms and Diagnosis
👉 Treatment
👉 Treatment and Research - Diet and Exercise
👉 Medication
👉 Self-Monitoring
👉 ABCs of Monitoring Diabetes
👉 Foot and Skin Care
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