EzineArticles - Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Original Articles



  Submit Articles
  Members Login
  Benefits
  Expert Authors
  Read Endorsements
  Editorial Guidelines
  Author TOS

  Terms of Service
  Ezines / Email Alerts
  Manage Subscriptions
  EzineArticles RSS

  Blog
  Forums
  About Us
  What's New
  Contact Us
  Article Writing Shop
  Advertising
  Affiliates
  Privacy Policy
  Site Map


Advanced Search


Would you like to be notified when a new article is added to the Diabetes category?

Email Address:


Your Name:


Prefer RSS?
Subscribe to the
Diabetes
RSS Feed:

Is Juvenile Diabetes Hereditary?
Print This Article Ezine Publisher Send To Friends Add To Favorites Post A Comment Suggest Topic Report Author
CloseRecommend This Article
From:
To:
Message:

The genetics of diabetes are very complex, but before I delve into that, you need to be aware that the terminology has changed. What used to be called Juvenile Diabetes is now called type 1. What used to be called Adult Onset diabetes is now called type 2, as you note. The reason for no longer using the terms Juvenile and Adult Onset is that both Juvenile and Adult Onset Diabetes occur throughout the life span. Thus, the old terms are misleading.

Type 1 and type 2 are completely different conditions which share a common clinical end result, elevated blood glucose levels. Actually type 2 and 1 are really families of diseases, but we'll leave that complication out for simplicity's sake.

Yes, diabetes of both types can run in families and there is a genetic component to the diseases which may, or may not, be inherited. On the other hand, the majority of diabetics, of either type, do not have a first degree relative with the disease. The genetic predisposition to diabetes is fairly easy to come by. In both cases, there are probably many contributing genetic locations and the probability you will get the disease depends on which subset of the locations that have the disposing characteristic a particular individual winds up possessing. There also appear to be some genes which protect from the disease. The general picture of the onset of diabetes is that you have a genetic predisposition which is then triggered by some environmental factor. Beyond this very general picture the two types start becoming distinct.

The probability that an individual with a type 1 sibling will develop type 2 diabetes is the same as in the general population, since they are independent conditions. The estimates of the risk of type 2 vary quite a bit for a couple reasons. Type 2 incidence rises very steeply with age and so any age cut off in your sample has a dramatic effect on the cumulative incidence. Rates also vary widely depending on the details of the population you look at. Lastly, much of the type 2 diabetes remains undiagnosed, so your calculated rate depends heavily on your estimate of the undiagnosed population. In round numbers, the risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during a 70 year life is 10%. The risk of contracting type 2 is close to twice that.

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in items such as juvenile diabetes

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D._Valerian

Other Recent EzineArticles from the Health-and-Fitness:Diabetes Category:

Most Viewed EzineArticles in the Health-and-Fitness:Diabetes Category (60 Days)

  1. 10 Healthiest Foods For the Patient of Diabetes - These Foods Control Dangerous Blood Sugar Levels
  2. How to Stop Diabetes - Learn Some Natural Ways to Stop Diabetes Once and For All!
  3. Short List of Foods For Diabetics to Eat - Diabetic Food List, Best & Worst Foods
  4. How to Cure Diabetes - Find Out Exactly What Causes Diabetes and How to Cure it!
  5. Blood Sugar Level Chart - What's Normal and What's Not
  6. How to Reverse Diabetes Naturally - Natural Diabetes Cures to Reverse This Disease!
  7. 6 Foods That Lower Down Blood Sugar Levels - Extremely Effective Diabetes Treatment
  8. What Are Signs of Diabetes - First 8 Symptoms of Diabetes
  9. 8 Secret Tips to Lower Down Blood Sugar Level and Eventually Reverse Diabetes
  10. High Carbohydrate Food List - Avoid These Foods to Stay Away From Diabetic Symptoms
  11. 6 Common Every Day Foods That Lower Blood Sugar Levels - Effective All Natural Diabetes Treatment
  12. Diabetes Disease Management Program - This is the Most Effective Way to Reverse Diabetes!
  13. The 3 Major Warning Signs of Diabetes
  14. Why Blood Sugar Levels Are Higher in Mornings? - Achieve Normal Blood Glucose Levels
  15. Fruits to Eat For Diabetic Patients

Most Published EzineArticles in the Health-and-Fitness:Diabetes Category (60 days)

  1. How to Stop Diabetes - Learn Some Natural Ways to Stop Diabetes Once and For All!
  2. How to Cure Diabetes - Find Out Exactly What Causes Diabetes and How to Cure it!
  3. How to Reverse Diabetes Naturally - Natural Diabetes Cures to Reverse This Disease!
  4. Diabetes Disease Management Program - This is the Most Effective Way to Reverse Diabetes!
  5. Why Blood Sugar Levels Are Higher in Mornings? - Achieve Normal Blood Glucose Levels
  6. 10 Foods That Lower Blood Sugar Level
  7. 6 Foods That Lower Down Blood Sugar Levels - Extremely Effective Diabetes Treatment
  8. 6 Common Every Day Foods That Lower Blood Sugar Levels - Effective All Natural Diabetes Treatment
  9. Natural Cure For Diabetes - Natural Treatments Information
  10. Diabetes Type 2 Menu - The Right Choice of Foods Helps to Control Diabetic Symptoms
  11. High Carbohydrate Food List - Avoid These Foods to Stay Away From Diabetic Symptoms
  12. 10 Healthiest Foods For the Patient of Diabetes - These Foods Control Dangerous Blood Sugar Levels
  13. Blood Sugar Level Chart - What's Normal and What's Not
  14. Diabetes and Its Affect on the Human Body
  15. Diabetes Diet - The Role That it Plays in Diabetes Type 2

 

This article has been viewed 2,900 time(s).
Article Submitted On: January 30, 2007



© EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide.