SolveYourProblem Article Series: Diabetes
Diabetes Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

How Did I Get Diabetes?

You're probably asking yourself, "how the heck did I get diabetes?" There are several causes of diabetes, some that are known and some that are not. Diabetes is a dangerous disease if left untreated and it is on the increase, so it is important that everybody understands the causes of diabetes in order to minimize its impact on individuals and society.

What Is Diabetes

Diabetes is diagnosed when there is insufficient insulin action to manage levels of glucose in the blood. In a normal endocrine system, the body produces insulin whenever we eat, adjusting the amount of insulin released according to how much glucose the digestive system is producing.

If somebody has diabetes, then their body is either unable to produce insulin at all (Type 1) or the insulin produced is either insufficient or ineffective (Type 2). Although they have the same name, type 1 and type 2 diabetes could be said to be completely different diseases.

Have you been diagnosed with diabetes: YES / NO ?

Causes Of Diabetes Type 1

Type 1 diabetes usually (but not always) occurs in late childhood or adolescence. For this reason it is often called juvenile diabetes. People with type 1 have to take insulin every day, either by means of injections or via an insulin pump.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease where the body destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. It is not known for sure why the body should suddenly attack these cells but it may be triggered by a virus. If you have close relatives with type 1 diabetes then it becomes a little more common, so there is probably a genetic factor too.

Unlike type 2, the causes of diabetes type 1 are not related to diet. Most people who develop type 1 are of normal weight.

Have you been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes: YES / NO ?

What is your family history: ____________________.

What has your doctor recommended: ____________________.

Do you have any questions for your doctor: ____________________.

What is the cause of your type 1 diabetes: ____________________.

Causes Of Diabetes Type 2

Type 2 diabetes is much more common these days than type 1. In fact, over 90% of people diagnosed with diabetes have type 2. This type of diabetes tends to develop later in life, although recently it has begun to be seen in younger people, including some children.

Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when the body stops being able to manage its blood glucose levels effectively. Usually, type 2 diabetics are still producing insulin, but they are what is called 'insulin resistant' so the insulin is not effective.

The main risk factor for type 2 diabetes is being significantly overweight. Obesity and a poor diet that is high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can lead to diabetes, even in the young. If you are overweight and eat a lot of junk foods, you will be at risk of developing diabetes sooner or later.

However, not everybody who has type 2 diabetes is very overweight. There is also a genetic factor, so if you have diabetes in the family then it is more likely that you will develop it. The genetic factor extends to ethnicity, so it is a little less common in Caucasians than in other racial groups.

If you are a woman who had gestational diabetes (if you became diabetic during pregnancy) then it is more likely that you will develop diabetes again later in your life.

If you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you may be able to avoid it by taking plenty of exercise, losing weight if you are overweight, and switching to a healthy diet based around vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins. If you already have this condition, then you may be able to turn it around with these measures. Of course you will also need to take any medication that your doctor prescribes for your case.

Have you been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: YES / NO ?

What is your family history: ____________________.

What has your doctor recommended: ____________________.

Do you have any questions for your doctor: ____________________.

What is the cause of your type 2 diabetes: ____________________.

Avoiding or dealing with diabetes is often quite simple. Changing your diet and lifestyle may not be as easy as it sounds, but knowing the causes of diabetes can be a big help with motivation.

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2011

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