Common Questions About Type 2 Diabetes Answered

Can diabetes be genetic? Can type 2 diabetes be prevented? Can type 2 diabetes become type 1? and more….

What you need to know about Type 2 Diabetes

Worldwide Type 2 diabetes is on the rise. The International Diabetes Federation reports that more than 400 million people were living with diabetes. The World Health Organization estimates of all diabetes cases 90 percent is type 2 diabetes. Here are some common questions and answers to help you understand this disease.

Can diabetes be genetic?

While genes alone are not responsible for type 2 diabetes, there is a correlation between the two. Actually, you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes if there is a family history than you would be with type 1 diabetes. If both of your parents had the disease there is a 50 % chance you will get it too. One factor is that children often model what their parents do in their eating and exercise habits. Food and exercise play a role, so if parents teach children poor healthy habits, then this contributes to the likelihood of getting the disease. However, there is a genetic link as well.

Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

Prediabetes is the beginning stages of full-blown type 2 diabetes. If you find out you have prediabetes, you can start right away at preventing the disease from progressing. This can be accomplished by healthy eating, losing weight, staying fit through exercise, and possibly medicine (depending on your risk factors).

Can type 2 diabetes become type 1?

Since type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and type 2 diabetes is your body resisting insulin, type 2 cannot change to type 1 diabetes. However, there is always the possibility that you could be misdiagnosed.

Can type 2 diabetes kill you?

Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease that claims the lives of people every year. It is the leading cause of death in the United States. The problem is compounded by the fact that many people have prediabetes and don’t know it, so by the time they’re diagnosed, the disease has progressed.

Can type 2 diabetes be reversed?

This question is debatable. Lifestyle changes, good genes, and catching it early can definitely help reverse the symptoms. A study was done that followed people with the disease. The individuals exercised 175 minutes a week, ate less than 1,800 calories a day, and received an education. In a year, 10 % were able to stop taking their diabetes medicine. In addition, their blood sugar had dropped significantly.

Catching type 2 diabetes early is a key in beginning the process of disease management or reversal. Get your blood tested regularly whether you have a family history of diabetes or not. Make lifestyle changes now and combat the potential for getting this deadly disease.

Footnotes:

Healthline : Is Type 2 Diabetes Caused by Genetics?

WebMD : Can You Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

Healthline : Is It Possible for Type 2 Diabetes to Turn Into Type 1?