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If you have Type 2 diabetes
in your family, then you are at a higher risk for developing
the disease than the general population. Because of
the serious long-term consequences of diabetes, it is
important to detect the disease early in order to prevent
or delay damage to your heart, kidney, nerves, blood
vessels, or eyes.
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Type 2 diabetes can develop slowly over a period of years. During this time, a person may not know that they have diabetes, but still develop diabetes-associated eye, kidney, or heart problems. For this reason, the American Diabetes Association recommends screening high-risk people every three years after the age of 45. (For recent news about screening recommendations for Type 2 diabetes, see
Related News below.)
Risk
factors include:
-
A family history of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- A
personal history of gestational diabetes
- Obesity
- Inactivity
- Delivering
a baby weighing > 9 lb (diabetics often give birth
to heavier babies)
- High
blood pressure
- Being
of African, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific
Island descent
If
you meet any of these criteria, your doctor should administer
a fasting glucose test or glucose
tolerance test. These tests tell your doctor
if your blood sugar levels are higher than they should
be. If they are, your doctor will work with you to keep
your blood sugar at more normal levels. This may include
diet, exercise, drugs that help your body use insulin
more effectively, or even insulin injections.
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