{"id":3624,"date":"2023-10-26T15:22:57","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T04:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/?p=3624"},"modified":"2025-06-18T13:09:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T02:09:41","slug":"understandinggeneticsanddiseasecauses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/understandinggeneticsanddiseasecauses\/","title":{"rendered":"Genetics and disease: understanding causes, risk factors and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The World Health Organisation estimates that 6% of the world\u2019s population\u2014more than 420 million people\u2014is living with diabetes. That\u2019s a figure that has quadrupled since 1980, and it\u2019s expected to rise to more than half a billion by the end of the decade. In Australia, around 1.5 million people are thought to be living with the condition, with 120,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we\u2019ll explore the risk factors of diabetes, with a particular emphasis on how genetic factors interact with other influences in the development of the condition.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Types of risk factors<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The development of diabetes is linked to four types of risk factors. These are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetic risk factors\u2014the influence of a person\u2019s genes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental risk factors\u2014such as exposure to toxins, climate and access to healthcare.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lifestyle risk factors\u2014behaviours influencing diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and stress management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Biomedical risk factors\u2014these are bodily states, such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels, that have an impact on a person\u2019s risk of disease. They can be influenced by all of the above.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Importance of understanding genetics and disease<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetics research studies how genes are involved in health and disease. Understanding genetic risk factors and genetic disorders is important in both the treatment and the prevention of disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding this makes it possible to work out how susceptible a person is to developing certain diseases. For example some genetic changes have been associated with an increased risk of having a child with a birth defect or developmental disability, or developing conditions such as cancer or heart disease. A knowledge of genetics can also help direct the course of treatment. Knowing, for instance, that cystic fibrosis is caused by certain genetic mutations allows the use of medication designed to counteract the consequences of the mutations. Understanding genetics can be useful in the prediction of how a disease is likely to progress, which also helps to shape a treatment plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Understanding diabetes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes is the name of a group of conditions in which there is too much glucose in the blood. There are three main forms of diabetes, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes (which occurs during pregnancy).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also a condition called pre-diabetes, where blood glucose levels are high but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. People with pre-diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, however, research shows <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/type-2-diabetes-prevention\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that in many cases, type 2 diabetes can be prevented<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or delayed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Diabetes risk factors<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Type 1 diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to produce insulin. It is an autoimmune disorder (where the immune system destroys healthy tissue) that is believed to arise mainly through genetic risk factors. Some of the \u2018responsible\u2019 genes are part of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) group, which regulates the immune system. Although we don\u2019t yet know how those genes trigger type 1 diabetes, they are thought to do so in combination with environmental factors such as infections and high levels of stress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no modifiable risk factors for type 1 diabetes, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for managing its symptoms and complications. Type 1 diabetes is not preventable, and currently there is no cure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Type 2 diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type 2 diabetes occurs when not enough insulin is made by the body, or when the insulin is not working properly<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a085\u201390% of people with diabetes have type 2. In 58% of cases, the onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The part played by biomedical and lifestyle factors in the development of type 2 is thought to be far greater than it is in type 1\u2014but genetics is still significant. Mutations (changes) in genes, especially those involved in producing or controlling glucose and the production and regulation of insulin, have been linked to an increased risk. Gender and ethnicity also play a part.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Biomedical risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">excessive levels of lipids (fats) in the blood<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">excess body fat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">excess weight around the abdomen.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Lifestyle risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unhealthy diet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not being physically active<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">smoking.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Risk factors for gestational diabetes\u00a0 include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">excess body fat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not being physically active<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">having pre-diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">having pre-eclampsia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">having had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">having polycystic ovary syndrome.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Genetic testing for diabetes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetic testing for diabetes involves examining your family history and analysing your DNA (a molecule that contains all the genetic instructions for your development) to identify genetic risk factors. Testing can be done through a simple blood or saliva test.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetic testing has the advantages of identifying potential cases early and enabling treatment to be far more tailored to the individual. However, while it can provide some useful information about a person\u2019s risk of developing diabetes, it does not give the whole picture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Steps to address type 2 diabetes modifiable risk factors<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes it is possible to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reaching or maintaining a healthy weight\u2014excess body fat increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating a healthy diet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doing regular physical activity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other ways to reduce type 2 diabetes risk are quitting smoking, drinking no alcohol (or moderate amounts), managing stress and making sure that you get proper sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong>Treatment options for genetic diseases<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New therapy options for treating genetic diseases are becoming available as a result of improvements in our understanding of genetics. These options include gene therapy and personalised medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gene therapy seeks to compensate for or correct genetic defects that cause disease. This may involve neutralising a damaging gene, replacing a defective gene with a healthy one or adding a new gene to fight the illness. Although it is in its early stages, gene therapy shows promise in treating illnesses like spinal muscular atrophy and some types of blindness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personalised medicine is where a person\u2019s genetic information is used to create individualised medicinal treatment. Cancer treatment is increasingly using personalised medicine, where genetic analysis of tumours can direct the use of certain medicines.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How the <i><em>Life!<\/em><\/i> program can help<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are affected by genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, but the level of influence of each of these differs for both types.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program can help you to tackle the modifiable factors that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a free healthy lifestyle program that helps you improve your eating habits, increase your physical activity and manage stress. The program is for people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. If you are already living with diabetes, you are not eligible for the program, however there are other<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.diabetesvic.org.au\/events?bdc=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> programs that can help you<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is run by experienced health professionals, including dietitians and exercise physiologists, who guide and support you to make healthy lifestyle changes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The program includes 7 sessions delivered over a 12-month period. You can choose from a group course or our telephone health coaching service. Learn more about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can check your eligibility for the <em><em>Life!<\/em><\/em> program below. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button teal\" href=\"#health-check\">Take the health check<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The World Health Organisation estimates that 6% of the world\u2019s population\u2014more than 420 million people\u2014is living with diabetes. That\u2019s a figure that has quadrupled since 1980, and it\u2019s expected to rise to more than half a billion by the end of the decade. In Australia, around 1.5 million people are thought to be living with the condition, with 120,000 new&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3625,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3624"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3624\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4727,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3624\/revisions\/4727"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3625"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}