Are You At Risk of Developing Diabetes?
What is diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when your body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels due to insufficient insulin production or resistance to insulin.
Most common types of diabetes
- Type 1: Immune system attacks insulin-producing cells
- Type 2: Insufficient insulin production or resistance
- Prediabetes: Elevated blood sugar levels below Type 2 threshold
- Gestational: Develops during pregnancy
Risk factors for diabetes
- Family history
- Age (45 or older)
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Stress
| Rates of diabetes by race and ethnicity: |
Other risk factors for gestational diabetes include:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Previous delivery of a large baby
The link between stress and diabetes
Stress can increase diabetes risk by affecting lifestyle choices and hormone levels.
Symptoms of diabetes
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss
- Numbness or tingling
- Slow-healing wounds
- Frequent infections
Consult your healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms.
This educational resource was created with support from AstraZeneca.
