In recent years, a great deal of research has been done in an effort to learn about the causes of type 2 diabetes. For example, doctors have now learned through this research that type 2 diabetes is commonly passed down through the bloodline of families. It is very common for someone with type 2 diabetes to have one or more additional relatives who also have the disease, offering proof of the fact that type 2 diabetes is genetic.
Insulin Resistance With Type 2 Diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes have a shortage of insulin running through their bodies, while those with type 2 diabetes have sufficient insulin. The problem comes from the fact that their bodies do not respond normally, the way a healthy person would, to the insulin. For people with type 2 diabetes this condition is called being “insulin resistant”.
There are signs of insulin resistance that show up even before a person is actually diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However, because these signs often seem quite minor, they may be ignored for years. For example, a simple test can be taken that shows if the amount of insulin in the blood is higher than normal. While you may believe yourself to be a totally healthy person because you eat right, exercise, and avoid drugs and alcohol, this is no guarantee that you do not have lower insulin resistance. Getting tested is the only way to know. Should you find that you do have a lower state of insulin resistance early enough, you can take steps to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes Some Common Myths
When reading through the common signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, do not immediately become too concerned. It is very important that you see your doctor to get checked, and let the diagnosis come from the doctor. It is just as important to make sure that you know just what is true, and not just false beliefs regarding type 2 diabetes.
Here are some of the more common false beliefs about the causes of type 2 diabetes:
1. Stress causes Type 2 diabetes - This is simply not true. Stress is indeed a leading factor in the cause of many illnesses, but high levels of stress have never been proven to cause type 2 diabetes. However, stress can contribute to the worsening of the disease by triggering other medical problems.
2. Eating too much sugar causes Type 2 diabetes - Not exactly! While the eating of large quantities of sugar does not in itself cause diabetes, it will cause you to gain weight, and possibly lead to obesity - which is a leading cause of diabetes.
3. Type 2 diabetes knows no gender - Medical records have shown diabetes to be found in equal proportions in both men and women. Specific gender plays no part in determining just who gets stricken with this disease.
4. Too many emotional changes cause Type 2 diabetes - While some people still believe this, it is another falsehood. There exists no proof that frequent changes in a person’s emotions plays any role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Bottom line; should you have any reason to believe that you may be affected, by seeing your doctor, and getting tested you will find out if you are at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Carl DiNello is an Article Author whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internet’s most popular topics.
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