I am 19 years old, can I have diabetes? There is no such case of diabetes in my family.

Question

Mr. lybrate-user, Diabetes can come to anyone and at any age. T1 diabetes which is an autoimmune disorder tends to occur in youg age even at infancy. These patients need insulin for survival and treatment. There may be family history or may not be there. T2 diabetes which generally starts in later years, seen in people who are overweight, inactive and have a family history of diabetes. But fortunately this is a preventable disease, meaning if a person adapts modified lifestyle with regular exercise, maintaining normal body weight, taking balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and smoking then it can be prevented. Thanks.

Prabhakar Laxman Jathar · Accepted Answer

Mr. lybrate-user, Diabetes can come to anyone and at any age. T1 diabetes which is an autoimmune disorder tends to occur in youg age even at infancy. These patients need insulin for survival and treatment. There may be family history or may not be there. T2 diabetes which generally starts in later years, seen in people who are overweight, inactive and have a family history of diabetes. But fortunately this is a preventable disease, meaning if a person adapts modified lifestyle with regular exercise, maintaining normal body weight, taking balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and smoking then it can be prevented. Thanks.

Sandhya Krishnamurthy · Answer

Hi,
Juvenile diabetes occurs in patients with strong positive family history.  Hence you need not worry about diabetes right now.