subject: Diabetes: Types and Causes [print this page] Diabetes: Types and Causes Diabetes: Types and Causes
Diabetes mellitus, sometimes called sugar diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body is unable to use available glucose. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body cells. Glucose is a kind of fuel that makes functioning of our body smooth and efficient. It reaches muscles, organs and other parts of the body where ever it's needed. The levels of glucose in blood are controlled by a hormone called insulin. Insulin is the hormone that is responsible for transferring glucose in entire body. There are three types of diabetes. A person with Type 1 diabetes is unable to produce insulin. Type2 diabetes patients are able to produce insulin but their body is not able to process the insulin. Gestational diabetes develops mostly in women who are pregnant.
For those who have family history of diabetes, the disease has greater chance of starting earlier in childhood. The most common causes of diabetes are: alcohol consumption, infection or disease. Type 1 diabetes occurs in children mostly due to genetic reasons. Type 2 diabetes generally affects adults. Causes of Type 2 diabetes include aging, being overweight and low physical activity. Juvenile diabetes occurs mostly in children who do not have enough insulin levels in their body. The causes of diabetes in juveniles are generally hereditary.
Type1 diabetes, Type2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes are the different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also called autoimmune diabetes. Person with Type 1 diabetes has immune response against his own beta cells of pancreas, so pancreas is unable to produce any insulin at all. That is why it is called as autoimmune diabetes. Type 2 diabetes: Type Diabetes is also called as non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes. This is the most common type of diabetes affecting nearly 80% of all cases of diabetes. It is usually seen in adults. There are two mechanisms of Type 2 diabetes. Either there is a deficiency of insulin, or there is an increased resistance to insulin. Gestational diabetes: Women affected with diabetes during their pregnancy are usually affected by gestational diabetes.
Those diagnosed with severe effects of diabetes are usually responsible for ignoring high levels of glucose in their body over a long period of time. This is why early detection is important. Excess blood sugar levels have a horrible effect on the body. Some common effects from diabetes include vision problems, kidney damage, nerve damage, blood circulation and heart problems. A person with diabetes is at a higher risk for these types of conditions, but a person who fails to control diabetes is even more likely to develop one of these conditions. Diabetes, if diagnosed early, can be treated by following a regular diet, appropriate exercise, and taking regular oral medications prescribed by a physician. Several diabetes medications are available to treat diabetes. Most are taken in the form of pills. One should control the affected disease personal care of his or her self or by making a firm commitment.
