Causes Of Diabetes

Each individual type of diabetes typically has its own causes. Unfortunately not much is known about why some individuals will develop diabetes and some will not.

Causes Of Type I Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes may be inherited, however it has been discovered that many people who develop Type 1 Diabetes have had no family history of this disease. It is believed that a certain group of viruses may cause Type 1 Diabetes (especially Coxsackie B infections), though it has also been scientifically proven that this was false for a period of time many thought specific vaccines may lead to Type 1 Diabetes.

Causes Of Type 2 Diabetes

The exact causes of Type 2 Diabetes are unknown. For some reason, the body stops properly using the insulin that it manufacturers or simply does not produce enough insulin. This is found to be true in both children and in adults, though in children it is believed that during puberty, the body may not produce enough insulin to 'keep up' with what the body needs and this could result in the development of diabetes. While there is no clear information on the causes, there are certain risk factors that may lead to Type 2 Diabetes.

Some of these risk factors may contribute to the likelihood of someone developing Type 2 Diabetes:

A) Family History: Many times, if a parent or sibling has diabetes you are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes

B) If you are over the age of 45, your chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes increases (and continues to increase with age)

C) The risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes is significantly higher in Hispanics, Blacks, Native Americans and Asians

D) If you have been diagnosed with Insulin Resistance Syndrome you may be at an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes

E) If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 25, you may be at a higher risk to develop Type 2 Diabetes.

F) Those with High Blood Pressure are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes

G) Another good reason to keep your 'good' cholesterol levels under 35 mg/dL and your triglyceride levels under 250 mg/dL is that those with levels higher than this may be at an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes

H) Women who have had a child weighing more than 9 lbs. or suffered from Gestational Diabetes may be at an increased risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes.

I) Women who have had a history of Polycystic Ovary Disease may be at an increased risk

J) Those who fail to get proper amounts of exercise may increase their risk

Causes Of Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes is caused when a pregnant woman's pancreas simply cannot produce enough insulin to maintain levels that are needed to prevent diabetes from forming. It is believed this is caused by the change in hormonal levels that occur naturally in pregnancy. While most women with gestational diabetes often do not require any treatment once they deliver the child, they do have an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life.