subject: Major causes of diabetes [print this page] Major causes of diabetes Major causes of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where the blood glucose level is normally higher than the normal range. Generally the food we eat is turned into glucose by liver from there it is circulated to different parts of the body by blood. The glucose in turn gives us energy to perform various exercises like aerobic exercise, running, jogging, and skipping.
The glucose is in normal range in an healthy person which is regulated by a hormone called insulin in the body. This insulin is secreted by pancreas. Pancreas have four types of cells among which beta cells are responsible for secretion of insulin. The main function of insulin is to pass glucose from blood into liver, muscles and fat cells where it is stored as fuel or energy.
Diabetes is of two types mainly. Type 1 diabetes is common among young adults and insulin is must medication so also known by names juvenile diabetes and Insulin dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is more common among adult of above 45 years age and is known by names like Adult onset diabetes and Non Insulin dependent diabetes.
Diabetes causes:
Hereditary reasons: It depends on blood relationship if father is diabetic the chances are more for children to be diabetic, if mother is diabetic the chances are less and up to 2 to 3% only. If both the parent are diabetic the chances for children are even more.
Age: Age is an important factor as people who are above 50 years of age are more prone to diseases. So Diabetes is more seen in aged people compared to younger ones. 85% of people who are diabetic are above 50 years of age.
Unbalanced diet: Balance diet with proper nutrition values is important, low nutrition values may lead to diabetes.
Stagnated lifestyle: People who are more sedentary in their lifestyle have diabetes compared with people who exercise at least twice in a week.
Stress and Hypertension: It may be one of the reasons for diabetes as it cause emotional disturbance to life.
Drugs: Side effects of drugs also leads to diabetes.
The juvenile diabetes symptoms and type 2 diabetes symptoms are almost similar.
Type 1 diabetes is due to autoimmune system of human body which consists of antibodies. The autoimmune system of human body destroys the beta cells of the pancreas which are responsible for secretion of insulin. But the reasons for this are unknown.
The important clues related to causes of type 1 diabetes are
