Type 2 Diabetes Questions
Answers:
Q:
A:
While there is no single cause of type 2 diabetes, there are well-known risk factors. Some of these can be changed and some cannot.
Risk factors which cannot be changed:
People who are most likely to get type 2 diabetes often have these risk factors:
- A family history of diabetes.
- Over 45 years old – the risk increases as we get older.
- Are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.
- Are from ethnic backgrounds that are more likely to have type 2 diabetes such as Melanesian, Polynesian, Chinese or people from the Indian sub-continent.
- Women who have:
- given birth to a child over 4.5 kgs (9 lbs) or had gestational diabetes when pregnant
- a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Risk factors which can be changed:
- lifestyle
- weight
- level of physical activity
- blood pressure
- type of food we eat
- cholesterol
- smoking
Q:
A:
Yes. People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and even prevent getting it by following a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular physical activity, making healthy food choices and not putting on a lot of weight, especially around the waist and even more importantly if they have been told that they have pre-diabetes.
Q:
A:
There is a lot of research into type 2 diabetes, but at the moment there is no cure. However, you can manage your diabetes by following the advice and guidance of your doctor or CDE.
Q:
A:
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition with decreasing insulin production over time. Your body needs to be producing some insulin for the tablets to work. When a person with type 2 diabetes is no longer making enough of their own insulin, they will need insulin treatment to control their blood glucose levels, sometimes with tablets as well.
Q:
A:
Adopting a healthy lifestyle may delay the need for tablets and/or insulin if you have type 2 diabetes. However it is important to know that when you do need tablets and/or insulin, this is just the natural progression of the disease. By taking tablets and/or insulin as soon as they are needed, you can reduce complications caused by high blood glucose levels.