Causes of Diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a health disorder which most of us dread. Knowing the causes of diabetes can help us act upon them thereby reducing the chances of contracting diabetes.  As explained in Diabetes and its Symptoms,there are two common types of Diabetes Mellitus – Diabetes Type 1 and Diabetes Type 2. There are various main contributing diabetes causes, some being causes of Diabetes Type 1 and some being causes of Diabetes type 2.

Causes of both  Diabetes Type 1 and Diabetes type 2 are listed here.  You will realize that most of the causes of diabetes, especially in Type 2 diabetes, can be controlled and diabetes can be prevented.

Cause of Diabetes|What Causes Diabetes.

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Our other posts on Diabetes.

1)Basic Info and symptoms. 2) Causes. 3) Complications. 4) Diabetic neuropathy. 5)Treatment and Management. 6) Natural remedies. 7) Prevent diabetes.  Diabetes and Hypoglycemia. 9) Diabetes and Cholesterol.

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Insulin is responsible for keeping our blood sugar levels within normal limits by influencing the uptake of blood glucose by the body cells for their metabolism.  Insulin is produced in the pancreas and, as and when required, it is released into the blood stream to facilitate the  uptake of glucose by the body cells.  When this sequence is disturbed, blood sugar levels rise above normal limits and diabetes results.

Why is this insulin and blood sugar sequence disturbed?

This sequence is disturbed due to two reasons:  1)  When the pancreas fail to produce insulin or produce insufficient insulin, and  2) When the pancreas produce sufficient insulin but, there is failure on the part of the  body cells to uptake the glucose from the blood stream, causing the glucose to accumulate in the blood resulting in diabetes.

Let us now come to what are the causes of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Causes of Diabetes Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes.

Diabetes Type 1 is also called Juvenile diabetes because it is commonly found in young people. In Diabetes type 1, there is no insulin or insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas.  This occurs due to auto immune destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas which produce insulin.

This auto immune response is triggered by a viral infection or environment factors such as exposure to certain toxins, drinking cow’s milk, and viral infections. Studies have shown diabetes type 1 to be associated with viral  infections due to  coxsackie B, rubella,  and mumps.  Genetic factor, especially if your father has diabetes, makes you more prone to develop diabetes type 1.

Causes of  Type 2 Diabetes.

1] Hereditary factor causes diabetes :- If there is a family history of diabetes, it is more than likely that you will inherit it. It may come to you either from your father’s side or from your mother’s side or from both. This is one cause on which you have no control. But, taking certain precautions can prevent or minimize the risk of diabetes. How do we do that ? Read  “ how to prevent Diabetes” for those tips.

2] Age and diabetes:- As age progresses, chances of getting diabetes increase. More than 75% of diabetes patients are above 50 years.

3] Mal nourishment causes diabetes :- If you are a person with a poor diet intake, lacking in proteins and fiber, your chances of acquiring diabetes are very high.

4] Obesity causes diabetes and is a one of the major  cause of diabetes.

5] A Sedentary lifestyle or a lifestyle of physical inactivity causes diabetes.

6] Certain drugs cause diabetes: Prolonged administration of certain drugs make the person a potential candidate for diabetes. These drugs include Steroids, Clozapine, olanzapine.

7] Infection by strephylococci causes diabetes.

8] Hypertension and diabetes are often seen together especially in those who have a high systolic pressure.

9] High lipids: Similarly patients with high triglyceride and cholesterol are more prone to diabetes.

Wrong myths about Diabetes.

Ø Eating sweets does not cause diabetes.

Ø Stress does not cause diabetes either.

However, in a diabetic person, the above two factors will worsen the diabetes.

Knowing the causes of diabetes, it will be easier now to understand how we can prevent or minimize the risk of the onset of diabetes, which is explained under the same title.

Related posts:

1. Diabetes and its Symptoms.  
2. Diabetes and Cholesterol.
3. Gestational Diabetes|Diabetes of Pregnancy – Causes and Risks.
4. Obesity and Diabetes.
5. Testing for Gestational Diabetes|How is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed.
6. Natural Remedies for Diabetes
7. Complications of Diabetes.
8. Prevent Diabetes – 8 Simple Steps to Follow.