Q: My father has type II diabetes. How can I avoid it?

A: Your family history of adult-onset (Type 2) diabetes does make you more likely to develop the disease. However, knowing that can help you take action to prevent it.

With Type 2 diabetes, sugar builds up in the blood instead of going into cells where it is needed for energy. This is because the body does not produce enough insulin, or the cells ignore the insulin. As a result, the cells in your body won't have enough energy, and over time, the high sugar levels can harm your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

First, get tested. The American Diabetes Association recommends that adults over the age of 45 be tested every 3 years. However, you may need a test at any age or time if you are in the following risk areas:

• Blood relatives of people with diabetes
• Women who have had gestational diabetes or who have had babies weighing 9 pounds or more at birth
• African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders
• People with a condition known as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose
• People with high blood pressure or very high blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• People who are overweight
• People 45 years or older

Second, control your weight through nutrition planning and exercise. Sometimes, even a loss of just 10 to 20 pounds can significantly lower blood sugar levels. Exercise alone can often lower blood sugar and improve the way insulin works. In addition, exercise improves blood flow and the heart's pumping action.

Third, be aware of the symptoms of diabetes. Many people who have diabetes are not aware that they have the disease until damage has been done.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes outlined by the American Diabetes Association are:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision

Finally, be aware that Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a complex disease, with an evolving approach to treatment. While there is presently no "cure," there is encouraging research pertaining to EARLY intervention. Along with aggressive lifestyle changes (as above), some promising medications may prove to slow or halt the disease progress, thus minimizing long-term organ damage and adverse health outcomes -- all the more reason to get tested early if you meet any of the above criteria.