What are the causes of diabetes?

What is the cause of diabetes? This varies from one type of the disease to another. Questions still abound as to exactly why some people get diabetes and others don't. While it may be some time before all the questions about it are answered, some things are generally considered to be true. Risk factors play a large role. People who eat properly and get regular exercise are generally more healthy and tend to develop fewer risk factors like obesity and high blood pressure. Genetic factors however are beyond our control.

One out of ten people diagnosed with diabetes are diagnosed with type 1. The cause of diabetes type 1 is the lack of insulin which controls blood sugar. The body stops producing it or doesn't produce enough to to regulate it. Formerly known as insulin dependent or juvenile onset diabetes, type 1 is most common in children and adolescents. However, due to removal or damage to the pancreas older adults can also get type 1.

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes accounting for about 90% of all cases. Insulin resistance is the cause of diabetes type 2. A person with type 2 diabetes continues to produce insulin but the body doesn't respond to it in the normal way. Glucose loses its ability to enter the cells and provide energy. This makes the blood sugar level rise, which in turn makes the pancreas produce even more insulin. The pancreas can become damaged from the extra work load. The organ may then be no longer be able to make sufficient insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a normal range.

Gestational diabetes is caused by pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can occur while a woman is pregnant. Three to five percent of women who are pregnant develop the disease. Like the other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes makes it difficult to manage the blood sugar levels.

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level is too high, but not high enough to be classified as type 2. Caution should be taken when diagnosed with this type because it can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Millions of adults aged 40 to 75 have pre-diabetes.

When discussing the cause of diabetes it should also be noted that there are many diabetes myths, or things that are commonly thought to cause it but in fact do not. These myths include: eating too much sugar or chocolate, being under too much stress, or the belief that it is contagious and you can catch it from someone else. Ignore these myths, know the facts about the disease and get yearly checkups to protect your precious health.

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When searching for the cause of diabetes or anything else regarding diabetes go to www.YourDiabetesInfo.com where John Richmond is a contributing writer and has many other articles there as well.

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