Risk Factors for Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine metabolism disease characterized by high blood glucose. Diabetes, following tumor and cardiovascular disease, is the third leading health threatening disease worldwide. Type 2 Diabetes is the common type of Diabetes, accounting for 90% cases. Although the specific cause for type 2 Diabetes is not clear yet, occurrence of type 2 Diabetes is associated to several risk factors, including genetic traits, environmental factors, lifestyle, behavior, etc.

Genetic trend

Children born to parents with Diabetes are more likely to get Diabetes in their later life than others who don’ts. If the mother has experienced gestational Diabetes, both the mother and her baby are at increased chances in becoming type 2 Diabetics.

Environmental factors:

Unreasonable diet----excessive fat accumulation due to heavy intake of lipids and energies is an indirect inducing factor for type 2 Diabetes.

Being obese or overweight. Being overweight is an independent risk factor for type 2 Diabetes. In overweight individuals, enlarged fat cells will reduce the density of insulin receptors on adipocyte plasma membrane, thus reducing insulin sensitivity and increasing chances of type 2 Diabetes. Regular exercise, dietary adjustment and lowering body weight can obviously improve insulin resistance and help to prevent Diabetes.

Cigarette addiction. Smoking is an independent risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes.

Long-term psychological pressure. Mental tension will result in excessive secretion of adrenergic medicines, which may elevate blood pressure and blood sugar, and affect pancreatic functions.

Recurrent infections. On the basis of genetic susceptibility, virus infections may damage beta cells and induce Diabetes.

Long-term exposure to chemical or radioactive substances. Pancreatic functions may get damaged in those who are exposed to chemical or radioactive substances for long-term.

For risky group of people, regular screening tests to rule out Diabetes are essential. Active preventive measures, healthy eating habits, regular exercise and good mental state will help to prevent onset of Diabetes. Make a change and develop diabetic lifestyle now. You may consult an expert doctor, and then follow living and eating suggestions carefully to prevent Diabetes.