Type 2 diabetes is caused due to genetic factors as well as other physical factors like obesity etc. However, with right intervention and management Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Read on to find more about the causes of Type 2 diabetes and how can it be prevented. Diabetes is a serious illness which obstructs the body’s ability to convert food into energy. This leads to high levels of sugar building up in the blood which puts a person at risk for developing heart disease, loss of vision and other serious complications. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes which affects people. In this articleWhat is Type 2 Diabetes?Causes of Type 2 DiabetesPreventing Type 2 DiabetesPregnancy and Type 2 diabetesWhat is Type 2 Diabetes? The food which we consume is digested and carried into the bloodstream in the form of glucose. This glucose is then used by the cells for growth and development. In Type 2 diabetes, the cells are unable to absorb the glucose properly. Hence, there is a rise in the levels of glucose in the blood. Insulin which is a hormone made by the pancreas, aids the body in carrying glucose to the cells and without its help, the glucose does not reach the cells. People with Type 2 diabetes have plenty of insulin but the body does not use or respond to it properly. Thus, there is an elevation of sugar levels in the blood. Abnormally high level of sugar in the blood leads to a condition known as hyperglycemia. Causes of Type 2 Diabetes Being Overweight - People who are overweight are more susceptible to diabetes because they are more likely to have insulin resistance. Increase of fat in the body can lead to insulin resistance. Low Physical Activity - A sedentary lifestyle with not much physical activity can also lead to diabetes because such an individual is more prone to health problems like obesity and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Family History - People are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes if it is inherited in the genes. High Blood Pressure - High blood pressure also known as hyper tension increases the chances of a person developing Type 2 diabetes. Other Factors - Other factors like unhealthy cholesterol levels, metabolic syndrome, and a few medications can also contribute towards Type 2 diabetes. Genetic factors may also be included in one of the factors causing diabetes in children. Preventing Type 2 Diabetes To prevent the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes, you can follow these steps: Have a Healthy Diet - You should have a healthy and balanced diet. Your meals should comprise of a little from each food group. Do not have too much of junk stuff like sugar, salt, fat, etc. Also, watch the amount of carbohydrates which is going into your diet. Weight Control in Child– You should maintain a healthy weight. Try to eat healthy foods and avoid junk foods. Eating slowly prevents overeating as it satiates your hunger with less food. Exercise Regularly – Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise almost every day. Walking around in your neighborhood is a good idea. Try to give exercise to different muscles of the body. Other Prevention Steps – Drink plenty of water. Keep a check on high blood pressure and also keep a check on your cholesterol. Try to stay stress free. Avoid activities which are harmful to health like smoking and drinking. Pregnancy and Type 2 diabetes If you are a lady suffering from diabetes and wish to get pregnant or are already pregnant, then you should take the following care. Before getting pregnant, try to become fit with regular exercise. If you have diabetes it is important for you to plan your pregnancy and get your body ready prior to pregnancy. Proper nutrition is important for a woman with diabetes to prevent birth defects. The use of multivitamin reduces the risk of the birth defects in the newborns of pregnant women. Take just one prenatal multivitamin daily to avoid excess of Vitamin A. Monitor your blood sugar levels frequently as pregnancy affects your blood sugar control. Maintaining blood glucose within the target range and good medical care can help women to have trouble free pregnancies and a healthy baby. Women who are pregnant with diabetes must take their medications on time. These women will need to see a doctor more often than other women who are pregnant without diabetes. Follow up with your doctor regularly. Keeping a strict check on blood sugar levels to prevent it from going too high can also lead t
Type 2 diabetes is caused due to genetic factors as well as other physical factors like obesity etc. However, with right intervention and management Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Read on to find more about the causes of Type 2 diabetes and how can it be prevented. Diabetes is a serious illness which obstructs the body’s ability to convert food into energy. This leads to high levels of sugar building up in the blood which puts a person at risk for developing heart disease, loss of vision and other serious complications. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of
diabetes which affects people.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
The food which we consume is digested and carried into the bloodstream in the form of glucose. This glucose is then used by the cells for growth and development. In Type 2 diabetes, the cells are unable to absorb the glucose properly. Hence, there is a rise in the levels of glucose in the blood.
Insulin which is a hormone made by the pancreas, aids the body in carrying glucose to the cells and without its help, the glucose does not reach the cells. People with Type 2 diabetes have plenty of insulin but the body does not use or respond to it properly. Thus, there is an elevation of sugar levels in the blood. Abnormally high level of sugar in the blood leads to a condition known as hyperglycemia.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
Being Overweight - People who are overweight are more susceptible to diabetes because they are more likely to have insulin resistance. Increase of fat in the body can lead to insulin resistance.
Low Physical Activity - A sedentary lifestyle with not much physical activity can also lead to diabetes because such an individual is more prone to health problems like obesity and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Family History - People are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes if it is inherited in the genes.
High Blood Pressure - High blood pressure also known as hyper tension increases the chances of a person developing Type 2 diabetes.
Other Factors - Other factors like unhealthy cholesterol levels, metabolic syndrome, and a few medications can also contribute towards Type 2 diabetes. Genetic factors may also be included in one of the factors causing diabetes in children.
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
To prevent the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes, you can follow these steps:
Have a Healthy Diet - You should have a healthy and balanced diet. Your meals should comprise of a little from each food group. Do not have too much of junk stuff like sugar, salt, fat, etc. Also, watch the amount of carbohydrates which is going into your diet.
Weight Control in Child– You should maintain a healthy weight. Try to eat healthy foods and avoid junk foods. Eating slowly prevents overeating as it satiates your hunger with less food.
Exercise Regularly – Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise almost every day. Walking around in your neighborhood is a good idea. Try to give exercise to different muscles of the body.
Other Prevention Steps – Drink plenty of water. Keep a check on high blood pressure and also keep a check on your cholesterol. Try to stay stress free. Avoid activities which are harmful to health like smoking and drinking.
Pregnancy and Type 2 diabetes
If you are a lady suffering from diabetes and wish to get pregnant or are already pregnant, then you should take the following care.
Before getting pregnant, try to become fit with regular exercise. If you have diabetes it is important for you to plan your pregnancy and get your body ready prior to pregnancy.
Proper nutrition is important for a woman with diabetes to prevent birth defects. The use of multivitamin reduces the risk of the birth defects in the newborns of pregnant women. Take just one prenatal multivitamin daily to avoid excess of Vitamin A.
Monitor your blood sugar levels frequently as pregnancy affects your blood sugar control. Maintaining blood glucose within the target range and good medical care can help women to have trouble free pregnancies and a healthy baby.
Women who are pregnant with diabetes must take their medications on time. These women will need to see a doctor more often than other women who are pregnant without diabetes. Follow up with your doctor regularly. Keeping a strict check on blood sugar levels to prevent it from going too high can also lead t
