Type 2 Diabetes - What Increases Your Risk
Risk factors you can't change include:1
- Family history. If you have a parent, brother, or sister who has type 2 diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing the disease.
- Age. The risk for getting prediabetes and type 2 diabetes increases with age. And the number of children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is increasing. Usually, children who get type 2 diabetes have a family history of the disease, are overweight, and are physically inactive.
- Race and ethnicity. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders are at higher risk than whites for type 2 diabetes.
- History of gestational diabetes or having a baby weighing more than 9 lb (4 kg). Women who have had gestational diabetes or who have had a large baby are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Low birth weight. People who weighed less than 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) at birth are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Risk factors you can change include:
- Being overweight. Staying at a healthy weight can lower your risk.
- Not getting enough exercise. Being active may help your body control blood sugar levels.
- Eating a diet that isn't healthy. Making healthy food choices is important to avoid diabetes.
Other health problems can put you at risk for type 2 diabetes. These are also linked to obesity and a lack of physical activity:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance that interferes with normal ovulation.
- Metabolic syndrome, a group of abnormal physical findings related to the body's metabolism.
- Prediabetes. Having prediabetes means that you are at risk for type 2 diabetes. It's important to get treatment. If your fasting blood sugar levels are in the range from 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL, you are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes.1
If you're worried
You can take
a test to find out your risk
(What is a PDF document?) of getting type 2 diabetes. If you are at risk, you can
discuss with your doctor how to make healthy changes in your life.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Type 2 Diabetes Topics
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Did You Know Your Lifestyle Choices
Affect Your Blood Sugar?
Use the Blood Glucose Tracker to monitor
how well you manage your blood sugar over time.
This tool is not intended for women who are pregnant.
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