When Diabetes Runs In the Family

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I recently learned that Diabetes runs in my father's side of the family on his mother's side. As far as I have heard, everyone blood related to my grandmother is diabetic. My father, however, is probably close to borderline.

I shouldn't be worried because my health and diet is still normal, but that won't prevent when something could go wrong.
Reading about diabetes is one thing but experiencing the feel of it is another.

If anyone could share any warning signs, personal experience, range of severity and treatments depending on such severity, I'd like to know.

If I end up with diabetes years from now, I at least want to be prepared and reassured that it's not a living hell.

My father had diabetes. I am his only child who doesn't have it or another blood-sugar problem. However, my Asperger's Syndrome and physical disabilities are unique to me among my family. Inverse reaction?

This might not be really relevant to your (OP's) question but I heard from someone who was doing research in diabetes that fat is the worst cause of diabetes, not sugar. If you are aware of your predisposition to diabetes at such a young age, you can probably consciously control your diet from now so that you won't get diabetes in the future. I think if you are careful with your diet and other life style factors (such as regular exercise), you can surely prevent your life from turning into a living hell.

I make distinction between sugar, artificial sweeteners and natural sweeteners. Sugar is bad if you are already diabetic. I wasn't aware of a link between an artificial sweetener and diabetes but I've always avoided all artificial sweeteners any way as they must be bad in some way. Although I'm not fully convinced of the safety of "natural" sweeteners, I tend to use stevia and xylitol in moderation if I am to sweeten something. I got myself used to not sweetening tea and coffee.

Once you have diabetes, your diet will be restricted and the joy of eating diminishes. I don't have diabetes myself but I've met some people who do. They always have to resist temptations and it's not fun.

There are two types of diabetes.

Type 1 (formerly known as juvenile-onset) is a genetic auto-immune system disorder. Insulin is produced in the section of the pancreas called the Islets of Langerhans, and a Type 1 diabetic's immune system mistakes these for a foreign body, and gradually destroys them, depriving the body of insulin. Almost every Type 1 diabetic is insulin dependent, or will shortly become so. It usually develops in childhood, or early adolescence, but in very rare cases, develops in one's 30s or 40s. It's a congenital disease.

Type 2 diabetes, which formerly was known as adult-onset, usually develops in middle age, although it is being increasingly seen in adolescents who are overweight and sedentary. It has both a genetic and lifestyle component. People who are pre-disposed genetically can delay, and sometimes even prevent, becoming diabetics by making diet and other lifestyle changes before the disease's onset. Even if you can't prevent it, you can delay the onset, and lessen the severity of it, by addressing your diet now, getting exercise regularly, quitting smoking, and avoiding other risk factors. Type 2 diabetics may or may not have to take insulin. Many do take oral medications, and some, like me, are able to control it by diet and exercise.

Both types of diabetes are treatable, and a diabetic who takes control of his/her disease can lead a normal, and long, life. My mother lived into her 90s as a diabetic.