Diabetes Prevention (cont.)
Are there any "red flags" we can measure that point to an increased risk for diabetes?
There are indicators of problems in blood sugar metabolism
that can be seen
years before the development of overt diabetes. Physicians in the field of
endocrinology are now routinely looking at these indicators in patients who are
high risk for developing diabetes.
Irregular menses
(menstruation)
There is an association between the lengthening of the menstrual cycle and the risk for developing diabetes,
particularly in obese women. In a national study of nurses, those who had a cycle
length of greater than 40 days were twice as likely to develop diabetes then
those who cycled every 26-31 days. The association is thought to be linked with
polycystic ovary disease, which is also known to be
associated with insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance may be a
precursor for type 2 diabetes.
Impaired Fasting Glucose
By definition, diabetes is associated with a fasting blood sugar of greater
than 126 mg/dl. There is another group that has been identified and referred to
as having impaired fasting glucose. These people have a fasting blood sugar
value of between 110-126mg/dl (there is currently discussion about expanding this
to include anyone with a fasting glucose of 110 mg/dl and above). The main
concern with this group is that they have an increased potential to develop type
2 diabetes when compared to the normal population. The actual percent increase
varies depending on ethnicity, weight, etc., but it is significantly higher,
regardless of absolute numbers. In addition, it is known that people with
impaired fasting glucose also are at increased risk for
heart disease and
stroke.
Inflammatory Markers
The role of inflammation is an area of extreme interest in
regard to disease development. For example, in the last few years we have begun
to understand the importance of inflammation and heart disease. We now know that
inflammation may play an important role in the development of diabetes as well.
An inflammation marker known as C-reactive protein has been shown to be increased in women at
risk for developing the metabolic syndrome, and in both men and women at risk
for developing type 2 diabetes.
Other Risks
Other risks for the development of diabetes include:
Endothelial dysfunction (abnormal response of the inner lining of blood vessels)
and retinal artery narrowing (narrowing of the tiny blood vessels in the back of
the eye).
Next: Is gestational diabetes a risk for developing type 2
diabetes later in life? »
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