heredity

[kdarrell]

If you have diabetes, does that mean that your children will have it for sure?

[stish]

Your children are at higher risk to develop diabetes, but they are not guaranteed to get it. The best thing to do is educate your children on diabetes and have them tell you if they notice any signs of diabetes starting in them, and you too should be watching them especially if Type 1 runs in the family, Type 2 usually doesn't develop until later in life (adulthood) and they could take preventable measures now so not to increase their risk later with bad lifestyle choices. Get plenty of exercise, eat right and consult a physician you trust and can develop a good relationship with, so he can monitor you as needed.

[kdarrell]

My mother in law has diabetes, but my husband shows no signs of having it yet, he is almost 40 ( I know not a child, but he is her child) could it possibly develop as he gets older?

[stish]

The older he gets the higher at risk he becomes, especially with family history of Type 2. Again he is not guaranteed to have it, but he is at greater risk.The best thing for him to do is live a healthy lifestyle with exercise, proper food choices and consulting the right doctor. His risk also increases with obesity, he may want to monitor his BMI or body mass index. He should definitely be tested at least once a year, including HbA1c test, not just glucose, even sooner should he start to notice incresased thirst, urination or appetite.

[kdarrell]

The older he gets the higher at risk he becomes, especially with family history of Type 2. Again he is not guaranteed to have it, but he is at greater risk.The best thing for him to do is live a healthy lifestyle with exercise, proper food choices and consulting the right doctor. His risk also increases with obesity, he may want to monitor his BMI or body mass index. He should definitely be tested at least once a year, including HbA1c test, not just glucose, even sooner should he start to notice incresased thirst, urination or appetite.

Thanks alot for your advice. We will definetly keep an eye on things and start doing things a little bit differently because his mother does have Type 2.

[parise]

I think there is a higher possiblity that your kids may get it in the future if a parent has it. But its not certain though.

[Writeman]

This one is for Kdarrel.

As mentioned already, if a parent or both are diabeteic the children need not necessarily have diabetes. But such children are at higher risk. So please becareful in what they eat.

Regarding your husband, if he sticks to a healthy diet and exercises regularly he will not have diabetes. Since he has already crossed 40 it's better to have periodic check ups though. As one ages the chances of getting diabetes increases (for such people with family history of diabetes).

But you can relax as he doesn't have it already. Just make sure that he eats a healthy diet and exercises regularly. In all probability he will not be affected even though his mother is.

[EasyWriter]

Some families are very active, participating in family sports (ouside of school) and others only exert themselves in the Battle For the TV Clicker On the Couch.
Children imitate their parents, even though they don't consciously do it, the patterns of living are passed down through the generations just like physical characteristics.
Adults can change, even though it maybe difficult at first; and new life patterns can be adopted for the benefit of the whole family.
Exercise doesn't have to be complicated with a lot of equipment, walking or riding a bicycle on a regular schedule is a good start.

[jimmys devoted]

Yes genetics play a hefty part in eventual development, I am 16th generation diabetic. Its paternal in my family. but on both sides of my fathers family its rampant. all of us started out diet controlled, then to orals in our 40s, i was the youngest at 39... then i and my uncle are agreesive going insulin.
you have to look at the potentials and the prevalence.

however.... marrying outside of the basic genetic pool and producing children from that outbreeding can result in a chain break. What I mean is if you are mostly english and irish and marry say someone who has a french or russian genetic label you could prevent the next generation from getting it, unless its prevalent in that family.

[manojjonam10]

The risk of having diabetes for children is higher if the diabetes is hereditary, in that case its a sad story.

[KrisNY]

Yes- unfortunately Diabetes is something that is passed down. There is a higher risk if your parent has it for the child to have it.

My uncle was fine until he was an adult- then he was diagnosed with Diabetes. My cousins have been tested as well- they are ok for now.