The risk factors for type 1 diabetes are still being researched. However, having a family member with type 1 diabetes slightly increases the risk of developing the disease. Environmental factors and exposure to some viral infections have also been linked to the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
Several risk factors have been associated with type 2 diabetes and include:
Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) is a category of higher than normal blood glucose, but below the threshold for diagnosing diabetes. Changes in diet and physical activity related to rapid development and urbanisation have led to sharp increases in the numbers of people developing diabetes.
Pregnant women who are overweight, have been diagnosed with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), or have a family history of diabetes are all at increased risk of developing Gestational diabetes (GDM). In addition, having been previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes or being of certain ethnic groups puts women at increased risk of developing GDM.
People with pre-diabetes and diabetes frequently experience certain non-specific symptoms. Some diabetics have no symptoms at all and the disease is discovered as a result of a routine blood test.
Symptoms include:
What’s your risk? Researchers report that, while much has been learned about…
In general, people with diabetes face increased risk of complications when it…
How is diabetes treated? Having diabetes need not mean the end of a normal,…
Andrew Heilbrunn, head biokineticist (or clinical exercise specialist) at the…