What Are the Causes of Diabetes?

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Diabetes is a chronic lifestyle disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. The causes of diabetes can be genetic and lifestyle.

In this article, we will take a look at the various causes of diabetes.

What Causes Diabetes?

Glucose is a very important natural source of energy that our body derives from the foods that we eat. Our body uses this to provide energy to the various cells that make up the different tissues and muscles. Glucose that gets converted into energy is then used by the cells of our body for their normal functioning.

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There can be various reasons and causes of diabetes. The main causes of diabetes may vary from person to person as well as the type of diabetes they have.

Causes Of Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which the levels of blood sugar are higher than normal, but they are not as high as to be classified as type 2 diabetes. However, if not controlled on time, it progresses to type 2 diabetes. 

The causes of prediabetes and diabetes are the same. As they are just different degrees of the same condition. 

First, let us understand what leads to prediabetes or diabetes diagnosis: 

  • The pancreas secretes a type of hormone that is known as insulin.
  • When we eat, the carbohydrates that are naturally present in the food get converted into glucose or blood sugar.
  • Insulin helps our body to convert glucose, or blood sugar, into energy, which is then stored and used by our cells to carry out the various daily tasks and normal functioning of the various organs in the body.
  • Till the glucose remains in our bloodstream our body produces insulin
  • When the pancreas fails to secrete the required amount of insulin, or when our body is not able to effectively use this insulin to push the glucose into the cells the levels of glucose in the blood start to rise.
  • This leads to pre-diabetes.
  • If not taken care of in time, or if pre-diabetes is allowed to develop further, it can lead to type 2 diabetes and become one of the causes of diabetes.   

There is a further risk of developing pre-diabetes which can turn into one of the leading causes of diabetes. These include certain lifestyle issues such as:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Lack of exercise and having a sedentary lifestyle 
  • Having a history of gestational diabetes
  • Having a family medical history of diabetes type 2
  • Being of an older age
  • Having an unhealthy diet or a diet that does not include balanced nutrients

 Causes of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is not different from type 2 diabetes. It is just the clinical term for the condition. A condition in which the body is not able to have proper control over the amount of glucose that is present in the blood.

Glucose refers to the type of sugar that enters the body naturally through the foods that we eat. As a result of the unregulated amount of glucose in the body, the kidneys also end up producing an excess amount of urine. 

The main cause of diabetes mellitus or type 2 diabetes is when the body is not able to produce enough amounts of insulin as needed, or when it does produce insulin but the body is not able to use it in the right way.

What are the causes of type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas either does not make insulin or produces very little amount of insulin. 

While there can be various causes of diabetes, here are some of the most common causes of type 1 diabetes: However, one of the causes of diabetes type 1 is when your body’s immune system starts to attack and as a result, destroy those beta cells in the pancreas that are responsible for producing or secreting insulin into the body.

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  • In many cases, it is thought that the causes of diabetes type 1 are genetics. 
  • Some of the other causes of diabetes type 1 are various environmental factors such as exposure to various viruses. It is thought that these viruses could in some ways trigger diabetes type 1 in a person.

Causes of Diabetes Type 2

As mentioned earlier in this blog. Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes have the same underlying risk factors. Let’s take a look at them here:

1. Being overweight or obese

  • One of the most glaring causes of type 2 diabetes is being overweight or obese.
  • When there is an excess amount of weight, it may, at times, cause insulin resistance in the body. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the cells in the liver, fat, and muscles in the body are not able to respond properly to the insulin that is being produced. As a result, these are not able to make use of the glucose that is present in the body.
  • Insulin resistance is especially common in people who are overweight or obese and is one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes.
  • The location where your body fat is mainly stored can also make a difference.
  • When there is excess fat around the belly area, it could be one of the causes of insulin resistance and is also one of the common causes of diabetes type 2. 

2. Insulin resistance

  • In most cases of type 2 diabetes, the start usually happens with insulin resistance. 
  • Once you start experiencing insulin resistance, your body goes into a mode where it constantly needs more insulin so that it can properly use the glucose that enters your cells.
  • Initially, to combat this scarcity, the pancreas starts to make more insulin so that it can meet the excess demand.
  • But with time, the pancreas is not able to cope with the added amount of pressure to produce more insulin.
  • As a result, the glucose keeps accumulating, and the levels of blood glucose start to rise. 

3. Family history of diabetes and genes

  • In some people, there is a higher risk of diabetes type 2, especially when it runs in the family.
  • Certain genes can also be one of the causes of type 2 diabetes in people who are especially prone to type 2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes Causes

Gestational diabetes is the type of diabetes that is caused during pregnancy, and in most cases, it gets better and reversed post-childbirth

While there can be various causes of diabetes, here are some of the most common causes of gestational diabetes: 

1. Insulin resistance

  • During pregnancy, the placenta produces different types of hormones.
  • These are thought to be one of the common causes of diabetes during pregnancy or gestational diabetes.
  • This usually occurs during the late term of pregnancy.
  • In most pregnant women, the body produces an adequate amount of the insulin hormone to meet the required and additional needs, and hence it can combat insulin resistance.
  • However, in some women, the body is not able to produce enough insulin and as a result, it leads to gestational diabetes, as the pancreas is not able to cope with the added amount of insulin that is needed.

2. Weight gain

  • Just the way that excess weight is one of the common causes of diabetes type 2; the extra weight that is gained during pregnancy is also thought to be a contributor to gestational diabetes. 
  • Women who put on a lot of extra weight or are obese may already have developed insulin resistance at the time they become pregnant. 
  • Also, those women who gain a lot of extra weight during pregnancy or turn obese during pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and as a result, have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes. 

3. Family history of diabetes and genes

  • Women who have a family history of people who have diabetes have more chances of developing gestational diabetes.
  • Certain types of genes may also make some women more at risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Other Causes of Diabetes

It is important to note that while genetics and lifestyle factors play a significant role in the development of diabetes, there may be other factors that contribute to the condition. However, the exact causes of diabetes are still not fully understood, and further research is needed to uncover additional potential causes.

Some other causes of diabetes that could lead to the condition are Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly, genetic mutations, hemochromatosis,  cystic fibrosis, and damage to the pancreas or removal of the pancreas for any health issues.

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Does eating too much sugar directly cause diabetes?

Eating too much sugar doesn't directly cause diabetes, but it can contribute to weight gain and obesity, which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Can stress cause diabetes?

While stress doesn't directly cause diabetes, chronic stress may affect blood sugar levels and contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes in susceptible individuals.

Can lack of sleep cause diabetes?

Sleep deprivation can impact insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, potentially increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes over time.

Can a lack of physical activity lead to diabetes?

Yes, a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, as regular physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health.

Can certain medications cause diabetes?

Some medications like steroids, anti-psychotics etc, particularly those that affect insulin sensitivity or glucose regulation, may increase the risk of diabetes in some individuals.

Are genetics a significant factor in the development of type 2 diabetes?

Yes, genetics play a role in the predisposition to type 2 diabetes, but lifestyle factors also greatly influence its development.

Can obesity and lifestyle choices lead to diabetes?

Yes, obesity and unhealthy lifestyle choices such as poor diet and lack of exercise are major contributors to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Is gestational diabetes caused by poor eating habits during pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes is influenced by hormonal changes during pregnancy and how the body responds to insulin. While diet can impact blood sugar levels, it's not the sole cause.

Are there any specific foods that cause diabetes?

No specific food directly causes diabetes, but a diet high in sugary and processed foods can contribute to obesity and insulin resistance, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Can environmental factors play a role in diabetes development?

Yes, environmental factors such as diet, physical activity, stress, and exposure to certain viruses can influence the risk of developing diabetes.

How does insulin resistance lead to type 2 diabetes?

Insulin resistance occurs when cells don't respond well to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, the pancreas may struggle to produce enough insulin, resulting in type 2 diabetes.

Can certain medical conditions cause diabetes?

Medical conditions like Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, thyroid disorder, and cystic fibrosis can affect insulin regulation and contribute to diabetes development.

Are there different causes for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, or do they share similarities?

Type 1 diabetes is mainly caused by an autoimmune response attacking insulin-producing cells, whereas type 2 diabetes involves a combination of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors.

Can excessive weight gain during pregnancy cause gestational diabetes?

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy can contribute to gestational diabetes, as it may lead to insulin resistance and hormonal changes that affect blood sugar control.

- By Fitterfly Health-Team
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