No matter if you have diabetes mellitus, there are certain things you may hear about. This is the most common type of diabetes. Type 2 means that the body can not use insulin properly. And while some people may control their blood sugar levels by a healthier diet and exercise. Others may require medicine or insulin to maintain their blood sugar levels. Regardless of that, you have all you need to fight it.
What Is Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is a lifelong disease that keeps your body from using insulin the way it should be. People with type 2 diabetes are known to have insulin resistance.
People who are middle-aged or older are more likely to have this form of diabetes. It was used to be called adult-onset diabetes. However, diabetes mellitus also affects children and youth, mainly due to childhood obesity.
There are about 29 million individuals in the U.S., with type 2. Another 84 million prediabetes, i.e., their blood sugar (or blood glucose) is elevated but not yet high enough to be diabetes.
By knowing these factors, you can check the chance of developing diabetes mellitus:
If you don’t know if you are at risk of diabetes mellitus, you can find out using a risk tool. This is an important first step. It’s good to understand the risk to make changes to take action.
1. Fat Distribution
If you store fat mainly in the belly, you have a higher chance of diabetes mellitus than if you store fat anywhere, such as in the hips and thighs. Your chance of diabetes mellitus improves if you are a male with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches (101.6 cm). or a woman with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches (101.6 cm) (88.9 centimeters).
2. Obesity
Being overweight or obese significantly raises the risk of diabetes type 2. Data shows that 80 to 85% of the risk of having diabetes mellitus is controlled by obesity.
Overall, obese individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher are 80 times more likely to have diabetes mellitus than those with a BMI of less than 22 (within the healthy range).
3. Sedentary Lifestyle
Not getting enough exercise or activity also raises the risk of diabetes mellitus.
For example, a 2016 survey of about 2,500 people showed that every additional hour of sedentary time every day raised the chance of having diabetes mellitus by 22%.
Conversely, exercise for 30 minutes a day will decrease the chance of developing diabetes by up to 58% when combined with lifestyle improvements. During exercise, the muscles use more blood sugar for fuel, reducing your blood sugar levels.
4. Ethnicity and Race
No-white Americans are more likely to have diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus, according to the American Diabetes Association, occurs in:
- 7.5% of non-Hispanic white Americans
- 9.2% of Asian Americans
- 11.7% of non-Hispanic blacks
- 12.5% of Hispanics
- 14.7% of American Indians
A 2018 analysis of diabetes rates of Black Americans showed that biological differences, including a body shape that was more likely to have fat around the belly, responsible for most of the increased risk. However, there are also socio-economic risk factors. Minorities may have fewer access to affordable health services or quality food choices.
5. Eating Habits
More than 90% of patients with diabetes mellitus are overweight. The excess of refined, simple carbs and lack of fiber both lead to obesity and diabetes diagnosis. Transition to a diet focused on:
- complex carbohydrates (think sweet potatoes, brown rice, lentils),
- fiber-rich vegetables and fruits (leafy greens, berries),
- lean proteins (fish, poultry),
- Good fats (olives, avocados, nuts, and seeds) might reverse or prevent diabetes mellitus.
6. Age
Diabetes is most common in people over the age of 45. About 25% of Americans over 65 have diabetes, but almost all of this figure has type 2.
This is because insulin resistance grows with age. As the pancreas starts to lose control, both can lead to the development of diabetes mellitus.
7. Prediabetes
Prediabetes is a disorder in which the blood sugar is higher than average but not high enough to classify as diabetes. Untreated, prediabetes often progresses to diabetes mellitus.
8. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
If you had gestational diabetes before you were pregnant, the chance of getting diabetes mellitus rises. If you have given birth to an infant weighing more than 9 pounds (4 kilograms), you are also at risk for diabetes type 2.
9. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Some women have polycystic ovarian syndrome. A common disorder characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair development, and obesity—increases the likelihood of diabetes.
10. Dark Skin
Areas of darker skin, usually in the armpits and neck; This syndrome also indicates insulin resistance.
11. Genetics
Diabetes mellitus is largely due to obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Genetics is also an important risk factor. For example, having a parent with diabetes mellitus increases your risk for the condition by 2 to 4 times.
E.g., having a parent with diabetes mellitus raises the chances of developing a condition by 2 to 4 times.
Your Blood Test
Ask your doctor to describe the results to you. The results could indicate one of three things:
- you have diabetes of type 2.
- The blood sugar levels are higher than normal, often referred to as prediabetes
- Your blood sugar level is normal.
If The Blood Sugar Is Higher Than Normal
This means that you are at high risk of having diabetes mellitus in the future.
A lot of different words are used to describe having a higher blood sugar level than normal, including:
- Prediabetes
- borderline diabetes
- non-diabetic hyperglycemia
- Unusual Fasting Glucose (IFG)
- Abnormal Glucose Tolerance (IGT)
- Unusual Glucose Regulation (IGR)
They’re all mean the same thing. You don’t have diabetes mellitus right now, so you may need to move now to try and prevent it. Your doctor may give you support to help you minimize your risk.
You should get a blood test of HbA1c at least once a year to monitor blood sugar levels. You’ll still get a chance to discuss how you’re going to get on with your making changes.
If Your Blood Test Results Are Normal
This doesn’t mean you’re not at risk – you may also have certain risk factors for diabetes mellitus. It’s good to check your risk later, especially if something changes that could reduce your chances. Your doctor may also ask you to come back in the future for another blood test.
The Bottom Line
You should take steps to help prevent or postpone diabetes mellitus by:
- losing weight while you are overweight,
- eating fewer calories,
- and being more physically active.
Speak to your health care provider about all of the health problems listed above that may require medical attention. Managing these health conditions can help reduce the risk of having diabetes mellitus. Also, inform a health care provider of any medicines you take that could raise your risk.
