Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.
When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.
Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population.
You can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through a healthy lifestyle. Change your diet, increase your level of physical activity, maintain a healthy weight...with these positive steps, you can stay healthier longer and reduce your risk of diabetes.
Some of the risk factors that contribute to your risk for diabetes:
- Age: As you get older, your risk for type 2 diabetes goes up.
- Gender: Men are twice as likely to have undiagnosed diabetes as women.
- Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy: Your risk goes up by a factor of 7.
- Having family with diabetes: Your risk doubles.
- Being African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, or Asian American: Your ethnicity can increase your risk.
- Having high blood pressure: Your risk doubles.
- Not being active enough: Stay active and your risk goes down 30%.
- Being overweight: The heavier you get, the greater your risk.
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