Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is medical condition that causes blood sugar (glucose) levels to rise higher than normal in the body. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In a normal individual, the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin which allow the cells to take up and use glucose from the bloodstream. When the pancreas makes less than normal amount of insulin, blood glucose level will increase more than normal. When a person has type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. Being overweight increases insulin resistance in the body.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes. Up to 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. The risk for someone to develop type 2 diabetes is multi-factorial. Both heredity (genetics) and lifestyle/environmental factors play a role in influencing one's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you have one first-degree relative (parent or sibling) who has type 2 diabetes, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is increased 2- to 3-fold. 18,19]. Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher (5- to 6-fold) if both your parents have type 2 diabetes.