Have you ever wondered if you will develop type 2 diabetes later on in your life? Do you have a family member who has type 2 diabetes? If so, you may feel concerned that you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Yes, it is true that there is a genetic link, and so there is a greater chance of getting type 2 diabetes if you have family members who have it as well.
You are right to be aware of the link, and also to be concerned about your future health and its potential developments. By being informed about your body, your health, and your potential health conditions due to family history, you make the best possible partner for your healthcare practitioner. By being informed and involved, you can be an active participant with your healthcare practitioner in your common goal, which is optimal wellness for you.
You may also wonder if you can prevent type 2 diabetes. Can you avoid it, or it is something that will happen to you no matter what you do? Is this a concern that you have? You may feel distraught or stressed because you feel that type 2 diabetes is inevitable, since you have relatives who have it as well. It’s no fun to live your life just waiting for unpleasant news to pop up.
The good news is that there is hope for you, and for everyone like you who has family members with type 2 diabetes and wonders if it is lurking around the corner, just waiting to strike you. Type 2 diabetes does not have to be an absolute certainty in your life. It absolutely does not have to be a part of your future.
You can start by scheduling an appointment with your healthcare practitioner. At this visit you can do a complete health assessment to gauge your immediate risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the near future. You will probably have some blood drawn for tests to be run. Write down any questions you may have, and bring them with you.
Don’t forget to actually ask them, too. Some people get into the doctor’s office and their minds go blank, and it is sometimes called “White Coat Syndrome.” Other people experience anxiety when in a doctor’s office and they just want it over with as soon as possible, so they clam up because (in their minds) if they don’t ask any questions, then the appointment will be over sooner. If either of these descriptions applies to you, please consider bringing someone with you.
Bring a friend, partner or other support person to your appointment who can act as a second pair of listening ears with you. They can actually ask the questions from your list if you are overwhelmed, as well. This way you can get answers to any questions you have, and they can help alleviate any anxiety you may have about the visit. Having a support person there can make a world of difference, if you need them.
Do you want to learn more ways that you can work to prevent type 2 diabetes? It all begins with you making an appointment with your healthcare practitioner.