Dr. Amir Sweha writes a column for the Elk Grove Citizen.
It is estimated that 23.6 million people have diabetes, of which 90% of those have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal due to cells in the muscles, liver and fat not properly using insulin. Eventually, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin for the body’s needs and as a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while the cells are starved of energy. Over time, high blood glucose levels damage nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, infections and sometimes amputation.
The risk for developing type 2 diabetes is increased by several factors, obesity and family history being the two most important factors. Studies have shown that weight gain and having a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or greater, significantly increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes while weight loss and a BMI of less than 25, reduces your risk. For men in particular, studies suggest that your waist size is a strong indicator for type 2 diabetes risk. Compared to men with the smallest waists, 29-34 inches, men with larger waist sizes were at least twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Those with the largest waist size, 40 inches and above, were up to 12 times more likely to have type 2 diabetes.
Other risk factors to consider when assessing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes include ethnicity, age, gender and your activity level. Type 2 diabetes is most common in Alaska Native, American Indian, African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander ethnicities. The risk of type 2 diabetes substantially increases after the age of 45 in both men and women. If you are fairly inactive, i.e. exercise fewer than 30 minutes three times a week, you are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that being physically active for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, significantly reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes. Finally, blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg has been associated with increased risk of developing diabetes as well.
During your next visit with your primary care physician, discuss your type 2 diabetes risk factors and if appropriate, get tested for type 2 diabetes.
