What Are the Main Causes of Diabetes?

Three types of diabetes exist that may be manifested differently in different people, according to age and lifestyle choices. It's difficult to pinpoint the cause of diabetes because there are so many different factors that affect the onset of this disease, such as the genetic makeup, race or medical history of an individual and general health issues or environmental influences.

Causes of Type 1 diabetes

When the immune system abnormally attacks the pancreas and stops the production of insulin, Type 1 diabetes is a result. This is an autoimmune response that destroys the insulin producing cells, leaving the body without sufficient insulin for converting glucose to energy. Several things ?trigger? diabetes but are not causes. These triggers include viral or bacterial infections, chemical toxins found in food, or unidentified components producing an autoimmune reaction. Another possible causative could be a primary genetic characteristic that points to diabetes type1.

Causes of Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes usually has several causative factors involved. The single most common cause is having a family history of Type 2 diabetes. Several risk factors can greatly increase the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes such as chronic illness, obesity, aging, improper diet, leading a sedentary lifestyle, or a pregnancy that involves gestational diabetes.

Causes of Gestational diabetes

There is still no known causes for gestational diabetes, but many risk factors exist that can lead to a probability of developing this form of diabetes during pregnancy. Being overweight, especially to the point of obesity, greatly influences the manifestation of Type 2 diabetes; as does suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome. If a woman gives birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds, it is highly probable she may develop Type 2 diabetes.

Other potential causes of diabetes

Inflammation of the pancreas or partial or complete surgical removal of the pancreas can be leading risk factors in causing Type 2 diabetes. Obesity-linked insulin resistance is a root cause of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and may also raise the risk of pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. People suffering from glucagonoma may develop diabetes due to the lack of balance between the production of insulin and the production of glucagon. Cushing's syndrome makes the body produce an increased amount of the cortisol hormone that results in a higher blood glucose level.