Diabetes Mellitus Causes

Diabetes Mellitus Causes

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune disease, in which the body's own immune system specifically attacks and damages the insulin-producing cells present in the pancreas. Not yet known what triggers the occurrence of this autoimmune event, but the evidence suggests that genetic factors and environmental factors such as certain viral infections play a role in the process. Although type 1 diabetes is associated with genetic factors, genetic factors play a role in the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Many type 2 diabetic patients have family members who also suffer from type 2 diabetes or other diabetes-related health problems, such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension) or obesity. The descendants of Hispanic, African and Asian races have a higher tendency to have type 2 diabetes. While environmental factors that affect the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes are our daily diet and physical activity.

Here are the major risk factors for a person suffering from type 2 diabetes.

• The family history of the core suffered from type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister)
• High blood pressure (> 140/90 mm Hg)
• Dyslipidemia: high blood triglyceride (fat) (> 150mg / dl) or HDL cholesterol <40mg / dl
• History of Impaired Glucose Tolerance (TGT) or Blood Glucose Disturbed (GDPT)
• History of gestational diabetes or a history of having a baby with a birth weight of more than 4,500 grams
• Foods high in fat, high in calories
• Lifestyle is not active (sedentary)
• Obesity or excess weight (weight 120% of ideal body weight)
• Old age, where the risk began to increase significantly at age 45 years
• History suffers from polycystic ovarian syndrome, where insulin resistance occurs

Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Increased levels of some hormones produced by the placenta make the body's cells become less responsive to insulin (insulin resistance). As the placenta continues to develop during pregnancy, hormone production is also increasing and exacerbating the insulin resistance that has occurred.

Usually, the pancreas in pregnant women can produce more insulin (up to 3x the normal amount) to overcome the insulin resistance that occurs. However, if the amount of insulin produced remains insufficient, blood glucose levels will increase and cause gestational diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes will have normal blood sugar levels after giving birth to their baby. However, they have a higher risk for gestational diabetes during subsequent pregnancies and to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.