Diabetes mellitus is a disorder which causes blood levels of the glucose to become high because the body does not use or release insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas) adequately. The oxidation or metabolism of these sugars from carbohydrates is the major source of energy for the human body. Diabetes mellitus (Type 2 diabetes) is the 7th leading cause of death in African Americans. National Surveys during the past 35 years show that the percentage of African Americans with this disease has increased greatly. There are several causes that increase the risk for this disease. There are preventive ways to keep a person from getting this deadly disease. In the event that one does contract the disease there are ways to control it.
The first risk factor is genetics, which includes inherited traits and group ancestry. Studies show that diabetes does run in families. If a mother or father has this disease, it is more likely that their descendants will have it too. Researchers are conducting studies to figure out which gene is most likely to be passed on to cause this disease. Some researchers think that African Americans have a "thrifty gene." This "thrifty gene" was passed down from African ancestors. It enabled them to live having very little food during the famine months. They used the food more efficiently when food was hard to be found. Since ample food is available for most African Americans today, this gene might make African Americans more open for diabetes. .
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Medical risk factors include that can cause diabetes are pre diabetes, gestational diabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity. .
Pre Diabetes is also known as IGT (Impaired Glucose Tolerance). It's a condition were the blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered type II diabetes. However, a person having blood sugar levels at this level are at a high risk of contracting type II diabetes.