I know quite a few people who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes and it’s more than likely that you know of someone or might even suffer from it yourself.

I’ve put together a list of 7 common questions (including answers) asked by people regarding Type 2 Diabetes. I’ll be posting further common questions in the coming weeks so stay tuned…

1. Why did I get diabetes? I am not overweight and I am active.
ANSWER: There are a number of risk factors for diabetes.

They include:

  • family history
  • overweight
  • >55yrs of age
  • history of high blood pressure and/or cholesterol
  • history of heart attack of stroke
  • history of pre-diabetes
  • History of gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy)

If you have any one of these risk factors there may be something that ‘triggers’ diabetes.

The triggers may be:

  • stress (eg health issues, financial, work , family issues)
  • medications which you may be having to treat another condition may have the side effect of elevating the blood glucose levels eg steroids, anti-psychotic medication

2. I thought only fat people get diabetes?
ANSWER: No. All people are at risk of diabetes, however people who have a family history have a high risk of developing diabetes. People who are overweight and inactive are also at a higher risk of developing diabetes.

3. Is there a link between high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes?
ANSWER: Yes. Managing your cholesterol and blood pressure is vitally important in managing your diabetes.

  • When the cholesterol levels are higher it means the level of blood fats circulating in your blood stream are higher.
    Over time the circulating blood fats will be laid down within the blood vessel wall (called plaques). This combined with the high circulating fats will prevent the insulin from working efficiently in moving the blood glucose from the blood stream into body’s cells.
  • As the plaques build up they will start to narrow the artery wall. This results in the blood having more difficulty passing through the vessels. Your heart then has to work harder to push the blood through your system (increased blood pressure).
  • If the artery becomes totally blocked by the fatty plaques then no blood can get through and with lack of oxygen to the cells they start to die (heart attack / stroke).

4. Why are younger people getting diabetes?
ANSWER: We are seeing younger people with Type 2 Diabetes and this is directly linked to a change of lifestyle in the last 20-30 years.

The incidence of Type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide for a number of reasons:

  • Increasing trends towards obesity
  • Unhealthy diets – larger amounts of higher fat and energy dense foods consumed
  • Sedentary lifestyles – not participating in any form or level of physical activity on a day–to–day basis

5. If I lose weight, eat healthily and exercise more will my diabetes go away?
ANSWER: No.

  • Once a person has been confirmed with a diagnosis of diabetes they have the condition for the rest of their lives.
  • The good news is that diabetes is a condition which can be controlled and the complications can be avoided through HEALTHY lifestyle changes (eating healthily, being physical active) and for some the use of diabetes medications.

6. I have a family history of diabetes but have worked very hard at keeping my weight down… so now why have I got diabetes?
ANSWER:One of the risk factors for diabetes is family history. If you have one or more risk factors there has been a ‘trigger’ which has elevated your blood glucose levels. (see question 1).

7. Are my children/grandchildren at risk of diabetes?
ANSWER:Yes.

  • If there is a history of diabetes in a family then all generations of children are at risk of developing diabetes.
tags technorati :


Related Posts

Diabetes