What causes diabetes?
Diabetes is a common disease that inflicts many people in the world today. It is estimated that there are almost 16 million people with this disease in our country. Diabetes is a condition in which the body in unable to regulated the amount of glucose in the blood. In a normal person, this blood sugar level is controlled by the hormone insulin. A diabetic person is unable to do so because either the body does not make enough insulin or is unable to utilize the insulin produced properly.
There are two basic types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is the less common form of diabetes and it is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin. It is usually recognized in childhood and people with this type of diabetes require insulin to function properly. Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body is partially or completely unable to use the insulin. This is the most common form of diabetes.
There are many causes of diabetes. It is strongly believed that heredity may be to blame for diabetes. Some people inherit diabetes from close blood relatives, especially if the mother and father are diabetic. If both the parents are diabetic, then the risk is quite high. If the genes responsible for this disease pass on from one generation to another, it is a cause of diabetes. Another cause of this disease is old age. Many people develop this disease in the later years of their life.
Poor diet and nutrition are another cause of diabetes. A diet which is rich in refined or processed foods, or sugar, can be a cause of diabetes. If a person lacks the required amount of nutrients, especially protein and fiber, in the body then he becomes more susceptible to this disease. It is also seen that obesity can put a person at higher risk for this disease. Being overweight increases the body’s resistance to insulin which can lead to diabetes.
There are also some drugs which can induce diabetes. Sometimes people who are taking certain medication for another disease can end up being diabetic due to the side effects of those medicines. There are also some infections which can be responsible for diabetes.
Stress and hypertension is also a cause of diabetes. Many studies have reported that there is a direct relation between these two and diabetes. High blood pressure and clood cholesterol levels can also be a cause of diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise can also lead to diabetes.
There are some cases in which pregnancy and hormonal changes can lead to diabetes. This type of diabetes is known as gestational diabetes and occurs only in pregnant women.
It is important to take care of your health and lifestyle to make sure that you can avoid this disease. Always take care of your diet and get the proper nutrition that your body needs. It is also important to keep your weight under control in order to decrease your risk for diabetes.
|
