Type 1 Diabetes
Risk Factors For Type 1 Diabetes
Having a risk factor for Type 1 diabetes
increases the chances of getting a condition but does not always lead to
the development of Type 1 diabetes. It is quite possible to develop type
1diabetes with or without the risk factors mentioned below. However, the
more risk factors you have, the greater are your chance of developing
Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is equally common among men and
women, but it occurs more often in whites than in non-whites. The main
risk factors include the following:
Family
history
If you have a parent or sibling with the disease, you are
at greater risk of having it, too. Scientists continue to believe that
genetic factors play a very important role in the development of type 1
diabetes.
Birth and early childhood conditions
The risk
factors for developing type 1 diabetes include:
1) Born to an older mother.
2) Born to a mother with preeclampsia during pregnancy.
3) Early introduction of formula to infants.
Autoimmune conditions
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease
which is caused by the body's immune system attacking the cells of the
pancreas. The pancreas produces the insulin. You may be at a greater
risk of developing type 1 diabetes if you have another autoimmune
condition, such as Hashimoto's disease, Grave's disease, Pernicious
anemia and the like.
Ethnic background
Ethnic
background also accounts for the development of the Type 1 diabetes. You
are at an increased risk of developing Type 1 diabetes if you are of
Northern European or Mediterranean ancestry.
Risk factors
mentioned above put you at the greater risk of developing Type 1
diabetes. So, if you are with these risk factors, you are required to be
on the guard, otherwise you will be diagnosed with the diabetes
unknowingly.