Type 2 Diabetes, what is it. Am i going to get it?

Ok, I'm Native American and they are known to get diabetes. And i found out that my dad has it today. I'm scared that i might get it. I been taking care of my health for this year. i quit soda, and eating to much. I just need to know how should i feel about this. And is my dad going to kick the bucket soon?

Please don't listen to the things Mr Peachy has said. You have a risk factor in your family, plus the fact that you are native American. The truth is that you can't prevent diabetes. Some people are so narrow minded about things that they don't see the truth. I have studied this disease for many years and have several degrees on the subject. Yes, eating a better diet can help postpone the development of diabetes in some cases when you have a risk factor. But it by no means can prevent it. Too many people are hung up on the fact that type 2 diabetes is caused by just a persons diet or weight. The FACT is, that it is a problem with the pancreas just as type 1 diabetes is. Now, just because you have a risk factor, does not mean you will for sure get diabetes. Many like you (with risk factors) never get the disease. Just because some one is controlling their diabetes well, and think their doctor is swell, is no reason to be telling everyone that if they follow a certain diet they will never get diabetes. This is extremely misleading and can cause people to ignore symptoms they may have. Your father could live to be 100, even with diabetes. He just has to take his medications they way he should, check his blood sugars at least 6 times a day (before and after meals) get good daily exercise,(like walking) and watch his diet closely. Also, make sure he visits his doctor every 3 months and if he has any problems at all to contact his doctor.

If your father follows the advice of his doctor (with respect to frequently checking his blood sugar and taking his medication), he will be around for a while. So you don't have to worry about that.

As for yourself getting it, there have been genetic links found for Type 2 diabetes. However, that does not necessarily mean that you're going to get it.

As long as you follow the good doctor's advice, you should have nothing to fear.

Type 1 diabetes happens when your body stops producing insulin at all. In Type 2, you produce insulin, but not quite as much as you need.

You and you dad need to see a doctor, get a diet plan, stay within a normal weight and exercise. Most Type 2 diabetics don't need insulin shots, either control with diet or pills. It's very common in older people. There's diabetes all over my family, but I don't have it. My doc told me to keep my weight down and I probably won't get it.

People who take care of themselves live 90 years with Type 2 diabetes, so don't worry. Just make sure your Dad follows his diet and takes his medications and he'll be fine.

Without going into a lengthy explanation as to why you're genetically predisposed... suffice to say, you are. That being said, if you live the lifestyle of your ancestors of more than a hundred years ago, you are highly UNLIKELY to get diabetes. That is to say, eat a wide variety of natural foods and stay the heck away from man made, processed junk. Also, get out and get plenty of daily exercise. Read up on the Pima Indians, sometime. Better yet, go to my diabetes info page and learn about the diet that got me off the medication after five years of suffering with this insidious disease....
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type...

And, as far as seeing your doctor is concerned, I wouldn't bother. See my doctor instead... Doctor Fuhrman. He liberates type two diabetics from meds all the time: http://drfuhrman.com/

Clearly it's time for the educator to go back to school. Drs. Joel Fuhrman, Neal Barnard, and John McDougall are not only preventing folks with high risk factors from becoming type two, they're getting folks like me who have been type two on medication for years OFF THE MEDS.... I'd say that's pretty convincing. So, please be aware of false authorities who claim to be educators who clearly don't know what they're talking about. There are civilizations around the globe who eat a healthy diet, get plenty of daily activity in, who simply don't become type two diabetic.

No one knows for sure how to avoid Diabetes. But it is generally considered that if you exercise and watch your diet you can prevent it