What are the risk factors for diabetes ?

These days, diabetes touches many people whether they are children or adults. Apparently, it is a disease caused by bad lifestyles. There are several causes to it, but what are the risk factors of this disease and how to know them ?

The different types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10% of all cases of diabetes. This type of disease most frequently shows up during childhood or youth... Type 2 diabetes is a disease distinguished by periodic hypoglycaemia, i.e. by an overly dominant level of dextrose (sugar) in the bloodstream... Pregnancy diabetes is determined by hypoglycaemia, i.e. a high level of saccharin in the blood, which occurs during pregnancy in a woman who did not have diabetes before. It occurs regularly at the end of the 6th month of pregnancy. In general, it dies after delivery, however the mother is then at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the following years. ​ Click here to find out more

How do you know if you have diabetes?

The best way to find out if you are showing signs of diabetes is to have your blood sugar tested by a healthcare professional. Firstly, a diagnosis of diabetes can only be made after a fasting blood glucose test. It is essential to test your blood sugar after fasting for at least 8 hours. In general, each person's blood glucose level must be greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl to make a definitive diagnosis. The blood sugar level should also be checked twice. Obviously, the diabetes test can be done at any time. If necessary, the blood glucose of diabetic patients must be greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl to be meaningful. The diagnostic tests for diabetes include two blood tests. Your blood test should be taken in a medical laboratory and checked by a doctor at follow-up.

Causes and contributing factors of diabetes

Diabetes is promoted by a congenital condition. Type 1 diabetes occurs as a result of a surprising interaction of the protective system. The onset of type 2 diabetes is mainly related to lifestyle : obesity, sedentary lifestyle, low blood pressure, etc. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin. This depletion is due to an amazing counter evolution of the immune system, which rids the pancreatic dungeons of insulin production. This interaction is called autoimmune. It is attached to an atavistic disposition and can be caused by apparent facts (viral contaminations, exposure to toxins, nutrition, stress...) Therefore, the danger of developing type 1 diabetes is more serious when a familiar ancestor (father, mother, brother, sister) shows type 1 diabetes. The risk of having type 2 diabetes remains if the patient exhibits a hereditary disposition; that is, a close relative (father, mother, brother or sister) is or has been affected by type 2 diabetes in the past. But the familial (or genetic) factor is not enough. It must be associated with other causes linked to the environment, with diet and a sedentary lifestyle at the forefront. Smoking is also an associated risk factor.