Diabetes risk factors.
Although any person can be diagnosed with diabetes, some particular  groups of people are more susceptible to the disease than others. Therefore, the following major risk factors must be taken in consideration.
 Age. Individuals of forty five years and older can develop diabetes more often.
Excessive body weight or obesity.
Overweight and especially excess weight around the waist increases the risk for diabetes.
Measurement of more than 40 inches for men and more than 35 inches for women or 102 and 90 centimeters respectively is a crucial risk factor.
Hereditary background. Anybody who has a relative of first degree with diabetes must be double cautious. The same thing applies, if the individual is of African, American Indian, Asian or Hispanic/Latino origin.
Pregnancy problems and facts. A woman, who has had gestational diabetes or has given birth to at least one baby weighing more than nine pounds, may develop type 2 diabetes at a later stage of her life.
High blood pressure. If this is 140/90mm Hg or higher, the person must be alert.
Inadequate vitamin E supply with meals. In such a case, specific instructions about the weekly dose must be followed.
Inadequate production of vitamin D. Studies in San Diego revealed that children, who live in areas with limited sunshine and consequently their body produces less vitamin D, are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes.
Blood test figures beyond borderlines must make the individual alert. Such figures are:
LDL-cholesterol (bad) higher than 240mg/dL, although some experts believe this figure should be no more than 190mg/dL.
HDL-cholesterol (good) less than 40mg/dL for men and 50mg/dL for women.
Triglyceride level 150mg/dL or higher.
The importance of blood triglyceride level has not fully understood yet. However, statistics show that people having 150mg/dL or higher are prone to diabetes.
Fasting blood glucose levels of 100mg/dL or higher.
Sedentary lifestyle. This risk factor applies to people who exercise less than three times a week.
Medical history of polycystic ovary disease. A woman with such a history may be more prone to diabetes.
Medical history of vascular disease such as a stroke. These patients must be monitored on a regular basis.
Depressive symptoms for a long time. Surveys have shown that people with this kind of problems are at
significant
risk to develop diabetes.
Anyone, to whom one or more than the above key risk factors apply, should consider getting tested for diabetes. If the person is forty five or older and overweight, it is strongly recommended for him/her to be screened. If somebody is younger than forty five, overweight, and presents one or more of the above risk factors, should consider been tested, especially if any of diabetes signs and symptoms coexist. If blood glucose level is higher than normal but less than the diabetes figures, prediabetes may be present. In such a case, blood glucose level must be monitored every one or two years. |
