Diabetes is caused when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or when the produced insulin is rejected by your body. This causes the blood sugar (glucose) levels to rise, which in turn leads to the condition known as diabetes.
Types Of Diabetes
Generally people are familiar with two types of diabetes, but in reality there are three:
Type 1 diabetes (also known as insulin dependant or juvenile-onset). The cause of diabetes in this case is lack of insulin or non functioning insulin. Sometimes people suffering from type 1 diabetes need to have regular insulin injections in order to bring the blood sugar levels to normal.
Type 2 diabetes, which is not insulin dependant or is adult-onset. The main cause of diabetes in this case in the body being insulin resistant. In other words, your body still produces insulin, but the insulin is not being absorbed properly. This type of diabetes occurs gradually.
Gestational diabetes The main cause of diabetes in this case is typically pregnancy. This form of diabetes only occurs in a small percentage of pregnant women; not all pregnant women gets diabetes.
Below are some of the more general symptoms of diabetes:
- excessive thirst
- frequent urination
- weight loss
- blurred vision
- increased hunger
- skin, gums and/or bladder infection
- irritability
- slow to heal wounds
- numbness or tingling of hands and feet
- unexplained tiredness
Certain people are more vunerable to get diabetes:
- those who are 45 and over
- those who are overweight
- those who are habitually physically inactive
- those who have a family history of diabetes
- those who have elevated blood pressure
- those who have a history of vascular disease
- those who have polycystic ovary syndrome
Myths About Causes Of Diabetes
It is important to know what is myth and what is a fact when dealing with serious disease information. Here are a few of the more popular myths surrounding diabetes:
- Eating sweets or the wrong type of food will cause diabetes.
- Stress causes diabetes.
- Diabetes is contagious – someone with diabetes can pass it on to someone else.
The cause of diabetes is purely triggered by the internal functions of your body and the incapacity of insulin to perform what it needs to. Diabetes can be fatal if neglected, so even if you are fit and healthy be sure to check your blood sugar levels regularly.
Getting diabetes does not mean that your whole life is over. It does mean, though, that you will need to be more aware of what you do, what you eat and your body in general.
