Diabetes is a complicated health problem with different types, and it’s not always clear what causes it. If someone in a person’s family has a type of diabetes, that person might have a higher chance of getting it too, but it doesn’t mean they will get it.

Some people might be more likely to get certain types of diabetes because of their genes. But just because someone in the family has diabetes doesn’t mean everyone will get it. There are ways to lower the chance of getting it. Learning about how diabetes affects family members, especially type 2 diabetes, can motivate someone to take steps to avoid it.

Knowing about family history can also help catch diabetes early. This can help prevent some problems that come with it.

Different types of diabetes have different reasons behind them. For example, in type 2 diabetes, lifestyle choices seem to be more important than genes.

Understanding how genes, lifestyle, and the environment can affect diabetes can encourage someone to lower their risk of getting it and having problems because of it.

Is type 1 diabetes hereditary?

Type 1 diabetes is a kind of autoimmune disease. It happens when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. This type often starts during the teenage years, but it can happen at any age.

Doctors used to think type 1 diabetes was caused by genes. However, not everyone with type 1 diabetes has family members who have it.

According to Genetics Home Reference, some genetic traits might make it more likely for someone to get type 1 diabetes in certain situations.

In people with this type of diabetes, scientists have found changes in genes that make certain proteins. These proteins are important for the immune system.

These genetic traits make someone more likely to get type 1 diabetes, and certain things can make the condition start. Once someone gets type 1 diabetes, they’ll have it forever.

According to the American Diabetes Association, possible risk factors include:

Cold weather: Type 1 diabetes is more likely to appear in winter than in summer. It is also more common in cooler climates.

Viruses: Researchers think that some viruses might activate type 1 diabetes in susceptible people. Among these viruses are measles, mumps, Coxsackie B, and rotavirus.

Early diet: Being breastfed as a baby may lower the chance of developing type 1 diabetes later in life.

People with type 1 diabetes may have autoimmune antibodies in their blood for many years before showing symptoms.

The condition may develop over time, or something may have to activate the autoimmune antibodies before symptoms appear. After this triggering, symptoms tend to appear quickly, within days or weeks.

 

Is type 2 diabetes hereditary?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common kind. It makes up about 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases in the United States, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Just like with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 often have a family member with it too.

Even though genes might matter, experts think that lifestyle choices, like what you eat and how active you are, have the biggest impact.

Apart from family history, other factors increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including:

• an age of 45 years or older
• excess weight, a high body mass index (BMI), or obesity
• a sedentary lifestyle that involves limited physical activity
• high levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood
• high blood pressure
• polycystic ovary syndrome, which many know as PCOS
• a history of gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy
• a history of cardiovascular disease
• depression

 

A person’s race, ethnicity, or both may also affect the BMI at which the risk of type 2 diabetes begins, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

For white, Hispanic, and African, the added risk begins with a BMI of 25. For Asians, this involves a BMI of 23. For Pacific Islanders, the risk begins with a BMI of 26.

People with two or more risk factors have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

 

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes happens in about 14 percent of pregnancies in the U.S. Usually, there aren’t any signs, but it can make it more likely to have problems during childbirth and other issues.

Usually, gestational diabetes goes away after the baby is born. But sometimes, type 2 diabetes can happen afterward, either soon after the pregnancy or a few years later.

Doctors aren’t sure why it happens, and there’s no clear way it gets passed down. But often, a woman with gestational diabetes has a family member with diabetes, usually type 2.

Diabetes insipidus

Diabetes insipidus is not the same as type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes affect how the body makes or uses insulin, a hormone. However, diabetes insipidus doesn’t involve insulin or blood sugar control.

Instead, it happens because of a problem with the pituitary gland, which makes a hormone called vasopressin. This hormone helps control the body’s water balance. When there’s an issue with vasopressin, it affects how the body manages water.

There are two types of diabetes insipidus:

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is a genetic condition that develops after a parent has passed on a genetic mutation.

Neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus is partly hereditary and genetic, but it can also stem from other factors, such as an injury or a tumor.

A person with diabetes insipidus can become dehydrated very easily. They will need to drink lots of water and urinate frequently. In someone with the condition, dehydration can lead to confusion, low blood pressure, seizures, and a coma.

Reducing the risk of passing on diabetes

Researchers have yet to discover all the genetic risk factors for diabetes, and it is not yet possible for everyone to have genetic testing to determine their risk.

However, people who know that they are more likely to develop the condition can often take steps to reduce their risk.

Genetic testing can predict type 1 diabetes and distinguish between types 1 and 2 in some people.

Researchers are still working on genetic tests that can predict type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Anyone interested should ask their doctor about these tests.

Type 1 diabetes

It is not possible to prevent type 1 diabetes, but the following may help lower the risk:

• breastfeeding infants until the age of 6 months
• minimizing exposure to infections during childhood by receiving recommended vaccinations on time and practicing good hygiene, such as handwashing

Type 2 diabetes

Doctors believe that, in many cases, it is possible to prevent type 2 diabetes by making certain lifestyle changes.

The American Diabetes Association recommends starting routine screening from the age of 45.

However, people with risk factors beyond age, such as obesity, may need to start screening earlier. A doctor can advise about the best strategy for each person.

Sometimes screening shows that a person has prediabetes. This means that blood glucose is high, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. At this stage, it is often possible to prevent the onset of the condition by making changes to the diet and activity levels.

Many of the lifestyle modifications that help manage the symptoms of diabetes can also:

• lower the risk of type 2 diabetes developing
• reduce the likelihood of type 1 or type 2 diabetes complications worsening

These strategies include:

Maintaining a healthy body weight: People with excess weight or obesity may be able to reduce their risk of diabetes by losing 5–7 percent of their starting weight.

Keeping physically active: For adults, current guidelines recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

Eating healthful, balanced meals: A diet that focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber, and whole grains can help with maintaining a healthy weight and preventing blood sugar spikes.

 

Anyone with a family history of any type of diabetes should be aware of the symptoms of high blood sugar, which include exhaustion excessive thirst, and urination.

If these appear suddenly, they can indicate type 1 diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 can take longer to show, and complications, such as cardiovascular disease, may already be present.

People with a family history of type 2 diabetes, or with risk factors such as obesity, should maintain a healthful diet and a healthy weight. They should also get plenty of exercise and speak to a doctor about screening.

 

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