Diabetes Risk Factors and Prevention

Diabetes Risk Factors

The most compelling risk factors of diabetes are increased age and having someone else in your family with diabetes (having a family history of diabetes).  Also, people of African origin from the Caribbean and those of Asian heritage and are over an age of 25 are at an increased risk.  For those of Caucasian heritage, the age cutoff for increased diabetes mellitus risk seems to be the age of 40.

There are many other risk factors that you recognize and be aware of besides racial heritage, ethnicity, and age.  These include:

• Being obese or overweight
• Lack of physical exercise and physical activity
• Having high blood pressure
• History of blood circulatory problems
• Inability for the body to process glucose
• A mother giving birth to a baby of large weight
• Female of post adolescent age having polycystic ovarian syndrome

Currently, the risk factors for diabetes mellitus type I (which is believed to be an autoimmune disorder) is unknown.

Watching your level of exercise and physical activity as well as being watchful of your diet and food intake is important for your health.

Diabetes Prevention

So far in medicine, we do not really know how to prevent type I diabetes mellitus, which is believed to be an autoimmune disorder.  In terms of type II diabetes mellitus, there are many very important prevention steps.

Since obesity or being overweight are important and significant risk factor for diabetes, a important step of prevention is controlling one's weight through conscious diet choices of foods low in fat and high in fiber.  As a part of this, it is also important to keep a level of physical activity and regular exercise.  As part of the food and diet intake, it is also important to cut one's intake of alcohol and cigarettes.  For those assigned medication with regard to high levels of blood triglycerides, fats, or cholesterol, it is important to follow your doctor's directions and take your medicine regime according to schedule.

For those already diagnosed with diabetes or a pre-diabetic condition, you should take steps to prevent the serious complications of the disease which can include onset of blindness, failure of the kidney which can lead to a need for dialysis, peripheral neuropathies or circulatory problems needing to amputation, or even death.  These very important steps include:

• monitoring and maintaining a tight control over your blood glucose.  An important aspect of this is monitoring your diet and eating a diet rich a complex carbohydrates, low in fat, and high in fiber along with a regular exercise regimen.
• quit or lower your intake of cigarettes and alcohol along with maintaining a healthy weight
• drink an ample amount of water each day
• keep your skin clean and well hydrated to prevent cracking which can lead to severe infections for those with diabetes
• brush and floss your teeth each and everyday and maintain good oral hygiene as well as get regular dentist cleanings
• wash and examine your feet and appendages each day, keeping a watchful eye out for any blisters