What makes diabetes hereditary

Tests are available for some of the gene mutations associated with type 2 diabetes. The increased risk for any given mutation is small, however. Research shows that type 2 diabetes occurs more frequently in Hispanic, African American, and Asian American people compared with other ethnic groups.

This may be due to health inequities that are prevalent in marginalized communities. The interactions between genetics and the environment make it difficult to identify a definite cause of type 2 diabetes.

The Diabetes Intervention Accentuating Diet and Enhancing Metabolism study DIADEM, a large, randomized clinical trial of people with type 2 diabetes, suggests that weight loss and increased physical activity can prevent or reverse early type 2 diabetes. Blood glucose levels returned to normal levels in some cases and most participants experienced diabetes remission. Other reviews of multiple studies have reported similar results. Slowly add physical activity into your daily routine if you can.

For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or park further away from building entrances. You can also try going for a walk during lunch. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise each day.

Talk with your doctor before starting an exercise routine. They can help you create a plan that complements your needs and abilities so you can safely exercise and take advantage of its health benefits. Cooking your own meals is the easiest way to make nutrient-dense choices. Come up with a weekly meal plan that includes dishes for every meal. You can ease yourself into it, too. Start by planning your lunches for the week.

Instead, it results from a malfunction in the pituitary gland and affects the production of the hormone vasopressin. This changes the balance of water in the body. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, a genetic condition that develops after a parent has passed on a genetic mutation. Neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus , which is partly hereditary and genetic, but it can also stem from other factors, such as an injury or a tumor. A person with diabetes insipidus can become dehydrated very easily.

They will need to drink lots of water and urinate frequently. In someone with the condition, dehydration can lead to confusion, low blood pressure , seizures, and a coma. Researchers have yet to discover all the genetic risk factors for diabetes, and it is not yet possible for everyone to have genetic testing to determine their risk. However, people who know that they are more likely to develop the condition can often take steps to reduce their risk.

Genetic testing can predict type 1 diabetes and distinguish between types 1 and 2 in some people. Researchers are still working on genetic tests that can predict type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Doctors believe that, in many cases, it is possible to prevent type 2 diabetes by making certain lifestyle changes. The American Diabetes Association recommend starting routine screening from the age of However, people with risk factors beyond age, such as obesity, may need to start screening earlier. A doctor can advise about the best strategy for each person. Sometimes screening shows that a person has prediabetes.

This means that blood glucose is high, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. At this stage, it is often possible to prevent the onset of the condition by making changes to the diet and to activity levels. These strategies include :. Maintaining a healthy body weight : People with excess weight or obesity may be able to reduce their risk of diabetes by losing 5—7 percent of their starting weight.

Keeping physically active : For adults, current guidelines recommend getting at least minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week. Eating healthful, balanced meals : A diet that focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber, and whole grains can help with maintaining a healthy weight and preventing blood sugar spikes.

Click here to learn more about how to reduce the risk factors and manage different types of diabetes. Anyone with a family history of any type of diabetes should be aware of the symptoms of high blood sugar, which include exhaustion and excessive thirst and urination.

A review outlines lifestyle factors that studies have associated with the disease and may lead to obesity, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance.

A person can reduce or avoid the following to try and lower their risk for developing type 2 diabetes:. Americans can also join a National Diabetes Prevention Program to learn how to make changes to help reverse prediabetes and prevent type 2 diabetes. Learn seven ways to help prevent type 2 diabetes here.

People can carry out a test to determine if they have specific genes that put them at more risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Companies such as 23andMe offer this type of test.

Genetic testing can motivate someone to make changes to their diet and lifestyle habits to help reduce their risk. People can speak to their healthcare professional to find out if genetic testing is suitable for them.

See a list of other tests for diabetes and what to expect with each one here. Type 2 diabetes has a genetic link that can make people with a family history more at risk for developing the disease. There are several genes involved, and people can find out if they have these with genetic testing. But because genes can change expression due to environmental factors, people can influence whether they develop type 2 diabetes with diet and lifestyle strategies.

Other factors such as smoking, stress, and insomnia may also play a role in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may develop for several reasons, including poor diet and lack of exercise. Age is also a risk factor. Once people reach a certain age…. When blood sugar levels are high such as after a meal , the pancreas releases insulin to move the excess glucose into cells, which reduces the amount of glucose in the blood. Most people who develop type 2 diabetes first have insulin resistance, a condition in which the body's cells use insulin less efficiently than normal.

As insulin resistance develops, more and more insulin is needed to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range. To keep up with the increasing need, insulin-producing cells in the pancreas called beta cells make larger amounts of insulin. Over time, the beta cells become less able to respond to blood sugar changes, leading to an insulin shortage that prevents the body from reducing blood sugar levels effectively.

Most people have some insulin resistance as they age, but inadequate exercise and excessive weight gain make it worse, greatly increasing the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins in middle age or later.

Signs and symptoms develop slowly over years. They include frequent urination polyuria , excessive thirst polydipsia , fatigue, blurred vision, tingling or loss of feeling in the hands and feet diabetic neuropathy , sores that do not heal well, and weight loss.

If blood sugar levels are not controlled through medication or diet, type 2 diabetes can cause long-lasting chronic health problems including heart disease and stroke; nerve damage; and damage to the kidneys, eyes, and other parts of the body.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for 90 to 95 percent of all cases. In , more than 23 million people in the United States had diagnosed diabetes and an additional 7 million people likely had undiagnosed diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes increases with age, and the disease currently affects more than 20 percent of Americans over age It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

The risk of diabetes varies by ethnic and geographic background. It also has a higher prevalence among people of African American or Hispanic ancestry than those of non-Hispanic white or Asian ancestry. Geographically, diabetes is most prevalent in the southern and Appalachian regions of the United States.