AboutBrian Ernst Expertise I have been Diabetic for 36 years, Both legs have been amputated, am legally blind and have had a kidney transplant 10 years ago and I spent 3 years on Dialysis. In August of 2006 I had Quadruple bypass surgery after having 2 major heart attacks. I work part time from home and am not going to let the disease win.
Experience Experience in the area: I have been Diabetic for 36 years, I have lost both legs, am legally blind and have had a kidney transpant 10 years ago after spending 3 years on Dialysis.
Expert: Brian Ernst Date: 7/22/2008 Subject: Getting Diabetes
Question Hello. I'm 15 years old and I eat a lot a sugar-full stuff. I don't have diabetes but family members fear that I will get it. I have a lot of sugar but I was recently tested (one year or so ago) and I didn't get it. My grandfather had diabetes but the rest of my family doesn't. I'm relatively active and work part-time. What's the possibly of myself getting diabetes and if I'm at high risk what can I do? (Besides cut the sugar.)
Answer Hi Justin, thanks for writing. You are about the same age I was when I got diabetes. I was 14. Diabetes is mostly genetically passed on. Eating an excess of sugary foods thogh can bring it on and the fact that you have a grandfather who had it makes your chance of getting it got way up. Getting a lot of excersize will help but cutting down hard on the sugary stuff will go a long way. If yu have not been diagnosed with it you probably can still eat some of the stuff but you should at least cut down on it some. There is an escellent possibility that you will get diabetes because of the risk factors. If you have decided not to cut down on the sugary foods then you should probably make sure yu dont have afear of giving yourself shots of insulin to stay alive.
I wish you the best of luck and if yu have any other questions or problems you would like to chat about please do not hesitate to write again.
Brian
