Diabetes Q&A

Question: Can I get diabetes even if no one in the family has it?

Answer: Even if no one in the family has diabetes, you can still get it. Genes don't determine for sure, whether you'll get diabetes or not; they only influence the likelihood or the susceptibility to the disease. If both of your parents have the genes that increase the risk of diabetes, you'll be at a higher risk, even if your parents or family members do not actually have the disease.

In addition to genes you inherit, environmental factors play an important role, such as an unhealthy diet, or low levels of physical activity; this will increase your risk for obesity or type 2 diabetes. So, if family members eat a healthy diet and exercise, they may not have diabetes, but if you follow an unhealthy lifestyle, you might develop it.

Question: What is the difference between Type 1 diabetes and Type 2?

Answer: Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter the cells where it will be turned into energy.

In Type 1 diabetes, the body stops making insulin or makes only a small amount. Since insulin cannot be given by mouth, it is given by daily injections.

Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of diabetes; it usually occurs in people under age 30, but it can occur at any age.

In Type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't make enough insulin, or is unable to use the insulin properly (which is called insulin resistance), or both.

Some people with Type 2 diabetes are controlled by diet and exercise, while most either take diabetes pills, or insulin, or a combination of pills and insulin.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes, and usually occurs after age 40; however, now it is also occurring more often in children and teens.

For more basic information about diabetes, you might want to check out the American Diabetes Association's web site at:
www.diabetes.org

Question: Why does losing weight help my diabetes?

Answer: Losing weight really helps diabetes, especially if it's type 2 diabetes. When you cut down the amount of food you are eating before even before the first pound is lost, your blood sugars will improve. If you lose five to ten pounds you will have further improvements in blood sugar.  The weight loss and reduced calories reduce the workload of the pancreas. Every time you eat, the body has to produce insulin to manage that food. So by the nature of you eating less, you're giving the pancreas a jump-start and break and it helps it work more efficiently.