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Health Conditions
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Diabetes
What causes it?
The cause of type 1 diabetes is unclear; however, it is thought that autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are involved in the development of this type of diabetes. The appearance of type 1 diabetes is suspected to follow an exposure to some type of "environmental trigger" - for example, a virus. It is thought that this stimulates an immune attack against the beta cells of the pancreas in genetically predisposed people.
There are two important causes of type 2 diabetes:
- Heredity: Type 2
diabetes often runs in the family, but the onset of the illness doesn't
occur until adulthood.
- Obesity: If you
are overweight, your body may become less responsive to the insulin you
have, resulting in type 2 diabetes.
The cause of gestational diabetes is not completely clear. It is believed that the increase of hormones within the mother's body blocks the action of the insulin made in her body. When the action of her insulin is blocked, she is said to be "insulin resistant"; making it difficult for the mother's body to properly use insulin. As a result, the amount of insulin that she requires to function properly increases. Having a family history of diabetes (especially on the maternal side), being overweight, and being older during pregnancy can also predispose a pregnant woman to develop gestational diabetes.
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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.
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What causes it?
