Who can get diabetes?

Today, diabetes is becoming increasingly common and can be linked to poor lifestyle and food choices. Is the way you live increasing your risk for developing this disease? Here's more info to help you find out.

The most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2.

Type 1

• Usually manifests itself during childhood or early adulthood
• Treatment requires daily insulin injections.

Type 2

• Appears around the age of 40
• In cases of obesity and sedentary lifestyle, Type 2 diabetes may develop earlier.
• Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, with or without medication.
• In more acute cases, insulin injections are needed.

Other types

There are other types of diabetes, some that are less common and more difficult to detect, including:

• Gestational diabetes (during pregnancy)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Diabetes insipidus

• Heredity is responsible for 50% of all diabetic cases, especially type 1.
• Second, the most common (and rapidly rising) cause of diabetes is obesity. In fact, 80% of all type 2 diabetics are overweight or obese.
• Increasingly sedentary lifestyles contribute to the development of diabetes: less physical activity, increased stress and hours spent sitting in front of computer and TV screens.
• Diets high in sugar strain the pancreas and impair its ability to metabolize carbohydrates and produce insulin.
• Gestational diabetes (during pregnancy) is shown to persist in about 10% of women after childbirth. This type of diabetes also affects babies, many of whom are born larger and have a higher risk of developing diabetes.
• Other rarer conditions causing diabetes include the after-effects of removal of the pancreas, certain prescription drugs, and a genetic mutation known as Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY).

The only way to definitively diagnose diabetes is to test the blood and the urine. High levels of sugar in the blood and urine are fool-proof indicators. However, it’s possible to have diabetes for many years without even knowing you have it.  Note the following symptoms:

• An intense and constant thirst
• Increased urination (quantity and frequency)
• Fatigue or persistent sleepiness
• Cloudy or blurred vision
• Difficulty healing wounds and cuts
• Extreme hunger
• Inexplicable mood swings
• Unexplained weight loss
• Numbness or tingling of extremities (fingers, feet)
• Genital infections

It’s possible to have diabetes without exhibiting any symptoms, especially in adulthood. Be sure to get an annual checkup with your doctor and do all necessary blood tests to help detect diabetes and other conditions as early as possible.