In the early stages, type 2 diabetes mellitus develops almost asymptomatically, and most often, by the time the signs of the disease become noticeable, pathological changes in the body already become irreversible. At the same time, the risk of developing the disease increases significantly in people over the age of 45, overweight and high blood pressure. It is these categories of citizens and others at risk who need to donate blood “for sugar” at least once a year. Candidate of medical sciences, nutritionist, cardiologist Svetlana Pavlichenko, general director of the ANO Research Center for Healthy Nutrition, told socialbites.ca.
According to the expert, first of all, the risk group for the incidence of type 2 diabetes is people whose close relatives have been diagnosed with diabetes. In this case, the probability of disease increases from 2 to 6 times.
The risk of developing diabetes also increases significantly after the age of 45. At the same time, the nutritionist noted that the incidence among teenagers and even children has increased greatly in recent years.
“Overweight and obese people are also at risk. More weight, higher risk. In addition, people with belly fat are more likely to develop diabetes. Even a little extra weight can be detrimental to health if fat deposits are concentrated in the waist area. Pavlichenko said More than 88 cm in women and 102 cm in men is considered a risk factor.
He noted that high blood pressure is also a risk factor and that it may be an indirect symptom of vascular disorders in diabetes.
“One of the listed symptoms is a reason for an additional check of the body. The most accessible diagnostic method is the analysis of fasting blood glucose levels. According to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, people at risk should donate “blood for sugar” at least once a year. In the presence of risk factors, the probability of disease can be significantly reduced with lifestyle changes. First of all, moderate but regular physical activity and nutritional correction, ”the doctor concluded.
Prior PhD announcedabout which health problems you can learn by smiling.