I’m a doctor – here are 3 life choices that could put you at risk of diabetes

DIABETES is a common disease and is increasing worldwide.

It affects almost five million Britons, or one in 14 – and requires careful management to avoid additional problems.

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For some people, conditions like type 1 diabetes can run in families, making them difficult to avoid.

This burden of disease causes your sugar levels to get too high and you have to take daily insulin shots to keep them under control.

The NHS says it’s not linked to age or being overweight, which are the main causes of type 2 diabetes.

Experts have now warned there are lifestyle choices that could increase your risk of the condition.

Cases of diabetes have risen sharply in recent years, with type 2 accounting for about 90 percent of all cases.

The endocrinologist Dr. Minisha Sood said if you think you’re at risk of developing it, then there are three things in your life to consider.

These are:

1. lack of exercise
2. Poor diet
3. Not getting enough sleep.

“Being sedentary and eating processed, high-calorie, low-nutrient foods can lead to diabetes,” she said.

Obesity or being overweight is known to be a risk, and these are conditions that can be the result of poor diet and lack of exercise.

Angela Ginn-Meadow, a diabetes educator at Maryland Medical Center, added that sitting for more than 10 hours a day can increase your risk of metabolic disease.

“One metabolic condition is insulin resistance that can lead to type 2 diabetes. A sedentary or inactive lifestyle can increase the risk of diabetes. Physical activity is one way to prevent type 2 diabetes.”

dr Sood told EatThis, NotThat that it’s also known that people who don’t get enough sleep (eg, shift workers and others with insomnia) are more likely to develop diabetes.

A previous study found that people who sleep less than six hours a night have a higher risk of developing the condition.

Researchers at the University of Bristol have found that those who have trouble napping have higher blood sugar levels.

The study, published in Diabetes Care, says treating insomnia could trigger a drop in blood sugar levels.

Lead researcher James Liu said: “We estimated that an effective insomnia treatment could result in a greater reduction in glucose levels than an equivalent intervention that reduces body weight by 14 kg in an average height person.

“This means around 27,300 UK adults aged 40-70 with common symptoms of insomnia would be diabetes-free if their insomnia was treated.”

If you think you may have diabetes, there are some important signs to look out for.

These include urinating more than usual, feeling constantly thirsty, severe tiredness, unintentional weight loss, blurred vision, and wounds that take longer than usual to heal.

You should see your GP if you are concerned as you may need medication to treat the condition.