Diabetes Causes

The most common diabetes causes are genetics, lifestyle and hormonal imbalance. The best way to manage the condition is to avoid foods that can spike blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is a common health ailment worldwide, yet every diabetic person needs unique care to manage the symptoms. It is a metabolism disorder, which occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, produces no insulin, or has cells that do not respond properly to the insulin produced by the pancreas.
This results in build-up of excess glucose in the blood, which eventually passes out of the body in urine. So, despite the blood having plenty of glucose, the cells are not getting it for their essential energy and growth requirements.

Types of Diabetes
Type 1
This is rare, and its exact cause is not known. In this type of diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce any insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes typically appears in childhood or adolescence, but its onset is also possible in adulthood. Some of the diabetes causes for this type are –
Family history – If either of your parents have diabetes, there are chances of you developing it too. Also, if you have a family history of the same, you can be diagnosed with this health condition.
Diet and lifestyle – High sugar intake, exposure to dairy products and low vitamin D are all linked to the development of type 1.
Environmental factors – The presence of viruses such as rubella, Epstein-Barr and retroviruses can affect your immune system
Type 2
More common in adults, type 2 diabetes develops when the body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. The exact reason behind this is not known, but genes and environmental factors like lack of physical activity and excess weight are some contributing factors.
Weight gain – If you’re overweight, you have high chances of developing diabetes. Losing only 5% to 10% of your body weight can go a long way in managing and controlling diabetes.
Stress – Stress produces a number of hormones such as cortisol that increase blood sugar and blood pressure. The more stress, the more chances of developing diabetes. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation pranayam, yoga, listening to music or taking a short holiday.
Lack of sleep – It increases insulin resistance and chronic sleep deprivation is strongly linked to diabetes.
Genetics – Your family history of a health disorder increases the chances of you developing it too at some point in life. Even if one parent has type 2 diabetes, there is a 40% chance of the child also getting diagnosed with it.

Diabetes causes
By now you know that some of the known diabetes causes are genetics, lifestyle and hormonal imbalance. It is advisable to take immediate medication if you’re diagnosed with diabetes to avoid serious health complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and poor blood circulation to the limbs.
These health complications are an indication that you must pay attention to your dietary intake, as some foods are known for spiking blood sugar levels. The diabetes causes depend on the type of diabetes you have.