For the past week or so, I have been experiencing dizziness, headaches, nausea and numbness on the left side of my body only. My doctor is testing me for diabetes, but there is also the possibility of an allergic reaction to medication (I am bipolar, also) or a pinched nerve. The most bothersome thing is the numb spot on my hand that cannot feel anything at all! The rest of my left side is very tingly and absolutely frigid. I can’t get warm either.

My father and both his brother and sister have diabetes. One is insulin dependent, one has only diet and exercise to worry about and the other takes medications and has to check blood sugars, but no insulin yet. Is this hereditary? Did I eat way too much rich, fatty and sugary/salty foods growing up to cause this? I have three children. Does this make a difference? I am 30 to 40 pounds overweight and work at a call center sitting all day. I try to walk to work at least once a week (30 minutes) and the only bathroom in the house is upstairs so I do a flight of stairs at least a dozen times a day.

Type 2 diabetes very frequently runs in families. However, it is not clear that you have even been diagnosed with this condition. The neuropathy that is associated with diabetes tends to be symmetrical, involving both hands and/or feet at the same time. The unilateral presentation is not characteristic of diabetic neuropathy. In order to diagnose the condition, you will probably have to have an EMG (electromyogram) where nerve conduction studies can be done.

It sounds like your family history is very positive. There is roughly a 50% chance of developing type 2 diabetes if one of your parents has the disease. Being overweight or obese makes it more likely. You belong in a high risk group that requires close surveillance by your physician. An intermittent fasting glucose level is reasonable for you. The cause of the disease is a complex genetic inheritance on top of a lifestyle that puts you at risk. Your job does not help. You need to have at least 30 to 45 minutes of uninterrupted physical activity almost every day to combat this risk and live more healthy. You also need to lose weight in order to decrease your risk of developing diabetes, if you haven’t already developed it.

JTL