Aug 11 2008
Why Does Diabetes Develop
Diabetes has no single cause, but may be caused by a combination of any of the following inherited and environmental factors.
Genes. If you have the specific genes for Type 1 diabetes, you may develop it at some point in your life, although this is not inevitable. If you don’t have the genes for Type 1 diabetes, you will not develop it (unless you have your pancreas removed). In Type 2 diabetes there is no specific genetic pattern, but your chances of developing it increase if members of your family have the condition. There are also certain genetic syndromes which, of developing diabetes, the most common being Down’s syndrome, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes.
Weight. If you are overweight, you have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes because your body cells may become resistant to insulin. Obesity, defined as weighing 20 per cent more than your ideal body weight, further increases increase your risk of Type 1 diabetes.
Body Shape. If you carry excess weight around your waist, you have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (but not Type 1 diabetes) than if you carry excess weight on your hips and thighs.
Ethnic Background. If you are of South Asian, African, or Caribbean descent you have five times more chance of developing Type 2 diabetes than people of Caucasian origin (but you are no more likely to develop Type 1 diabetes).
Pregnancy. When you are pregnant your body increases its blood glucose level in order to cope with the demands of a growing baby, and more insulin is needed. If your body can’t produce enough insulin, your blood glucose level remains high and gestational diabetes is diagnosed.
Medications. Some medicines can raise your blood glucose level or prevent insulin from working properly If you take any of these medicines, you have a higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes.
- Steroids, such as prednisolone and dexamethasone, which are used to treat inflammatory conditions.
- Thiazide diuretics, such as bendroflumethiazide, which are used to remove excess fluid from the body
- Beta-blockers, such as propranalol, or vasodilators, such as diazoxide, which are used to treat high blood pressure,
- Immunosuppressants, such as ciclosporin, which are used to prevent rejection of organs, following a transplant.
Viral Infections Specific infections, which may have occurred up to two years earlier, may trigger Type 1 diabetes if you are genetically predisposed to it. A virus can set off an abnormal reaction in which your immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Viral infections do not trigger type 2 diabetes.
Damage To The Pancreas. The following conditions may lead to the development of diabetes:
- Pancreatitis (an inflammation of the pancreas).
- Cystic fibrosis (a genetic condition that causes body secretions to be abnormally thick),
- Haemochromatosis (a build-up of excess iron that gradually damages the insulin producing cells).
- Removal of the pancreas. If your pancreas is removed due to disease, such as cancer, or an accident. Type 1 diabetes develops because you can no longer produce insulin.
Hormonal Disorders If your body overproduces hormones that oppose the action of insulin, your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases. The main hormonal disorders linked with diabetes are Cushing’s disease, in which the adrenal glands produce excess steroid hormones, and acromegaly, in which the pituitary gland overproduces growth hormone.
Diabetes Management and Prevention
Related Posts
No related postsNo responses yet