Ah, the family tree. It's a wonderful thing to know where you've come from. Questions seem to automatically arise when the family tree is brought up. Will I inherit grandma's beautiful hair? Will I inherit grandpa's big chin? Will I inherit Uncle Joe's musical ability? Will I inherit money when Aunt May passes? Okay, that's a different kind of inheritance. Then there are questions that involve your health and expected lifespan.

Knowing your genetic predisposition can be interesting, but it can also be a life-saving experience. If you think you might have the possibility to inherit type 2 diabetes, the information in this article just might save your life! Knowing your family's medical history can only answer half of the question if type 2 diabetes is inherited.

In fact, knowing these health answers will benefit you when you need to visit a health professional because she will ask questions about your family history. Being aware is the best defense you can have at this point. Being ignorant of these needed answers is not going to help you. Knowledge is power when it comes to your health.

So, read up on your family ancestry and get to know them, and yourself, better.

I'm sure you have many questions, so I will answer them in a question and answer format just for you!

How can I find out if I will inherit type 2 diabetes mellitus? There are basically four categories of people who are susceptible to getting type 2 diabetes:

1. People who are over the age of 45.
2. People who are overweight.
3. People who are of African American, Latino/Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander descent.
4. People who have a family history of diabetes.

Are there any other ways I can develop type 2 diabetes mellitus? Yes. There are five main reasons why people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

1. Being insulin resistant.
2. Being obese.
3. Living a sedentary lifestyle.
4. Having low HDL cholesterol levels (the good cholesterol) and high triglyceride levels.
5. Having increased occurrences of high blood pressure.

What are some warning signs of diabetes mellitus that I should look out for? There are six common warning signs for you to check if you are pre-diabetic:

1. Blurred vision.
2. Fatigue.
3. Frequent and slow-healing infections.
4. Increased appetite.
5. Increased thirst.
6. Increased urination.

What can I do to prevent myself from getting type 2 diabetes mellitus? There are five simple ways to make sure you don't become a victim of diabetes:

1. Be active every day.
2. Change your diet.
3. Limit soft drinks.
4. Make wise food choices.
5. Take prescribed medications.

Can you sum up the necessary checklist for me to check if I'm susceptible to type 2 diabetes mellitus? Sure. The main causes for type 2 diabetes are:

- Genetics
- Neglected lifestyle
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Unhealthy diet

So, learn about your family tree! It's a fun activity that can save you life. It's your life. No one else can live it.