Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes is a group of diseases that may lead to serious health complications and which affects millions of people. Although the facts regarding diabetes causes are not clear, there are many factors that contribute to the development of this disease. There are two main forms of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 Diabetes

Approximately 3 percent of people, especially the young, are affected by type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease. With type 1 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas, known as the beta cells, that produce insulin are attacked and destroyed by the immune system, resulting in a deficiency of the insulin hormone. Although the diabetes causes are uncertain, researchers have suggested that some of the reasons and risk factors may include malnourished diets, genetics and environmental issues such as toxins in the pancreas. Another root cause for type 1 diabetes is the irregular hormonal secretion in the blood that fights against the insulin. Some of the hormones affected include the Thyroid, Adrenaline and the Andrenocortical.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes, which occurs mostly during adulthood is often referred to as non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). This condition results from the body’s inability to effectively use the insulin it produces and is also called insulin-resistance as well as adult on-set diabetes. The vast majority of people (about 95 percent) who develop the diabetes disease have the type 2 form, of which more than 80 percent fall in the overweight category. However, some of the common diabetes causes and risk factors for type 2 occur in older people who have the tendency of being obese and who are lacking in exercise. In addition, people with a family history of diabetes and who have had gestational diabetes are also prone to the type 2 form of the disease. Studies have revealed that the people who are at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes are usually those who have several of the root causes and the risk factors.

Some Common Diabetes Causes

There are many diabetes causes that contribute to someone developing one of the forms of the disease, including:

Hereditary – Diabetes often occurs in families and it is believed that a strong genetic link exists with closer blood relationships having increased risks. If both of your parents have diabetes, your risk increases compared to just one parent having the disease. The gender of the parent will also affect the threat of developing diabetes.

Obesity – People who are overweight, have excessive body fat and expanded waist measurements are more susceptible to insulin resistance and developing diabetes.

Inactive Lifestyle – The more sedentary the lifestyle, the greater the risks for diabetes while people who are more active and who workout frequently each week and have lower diabetes threat.

Age – Older people are more likely to develop diabetes although the disease may affect anyone regardless of age. However, the incidences of the disease increase with age with about 80 percent of people over 50 at a higher risk.

Poor and High Fat Diets – Eating a balanced diet is important to reducing the threats of the disease. Diets that are impoverished and are lacking in nutrients, including proteins and fibers as well as filled with refined and fatty foods will increase your diabetes risks.

Health Issues – High blood pressure as well as physical injuries and emotional stress are often linked to diabetes causes. Clinical signs of diabetes may result from corticosteroid and some hormone therapies such as ACTH, which may trigger the disease.

Infections – Some infections such as strephylococci may affect the pancreas, resulting in diabetes.

Cholesterol Issues – Having high cholesterol, high blood triglyceride levels and in some cases, low HDLs may result in elevated blood sugars, which may eventually trigger diabetes.

Medications – Some anti psychotic drugs, such as olanzapine, risperidone, clozapine and ziprasidone that are used to treat some mental health illnesses may stimulate the onset of diabetes.

Gender – While older males are more predisposed to developing diabetes, women who have had many pregnancies and who suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome are also at risk for the disease.

Ethnicity – Some groups of people, including Hispanics and African Americans are more prone to diabetes causes in comparison to non-Hispanic whites.