Diabetes is caused by issues related to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar (glucose) levels. The causes vary depending on the type of diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes
- It is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
- Genetics and environmental factors may trigger this immune response, but the exact cause is unknown.
- Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the body's cells to be used for energy, leading to high blood sugar levels
Type 2 Diabetes
- It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
- Genetic predisposition plays a significant role, but lifestyle factors such as being overweight (especially abdominal obesity), lack of physical activity, poor diet, smoking, and certain medical conditions increase the risk.
- Environmental factors and ethnicity also influence risk, with higher prevalence among Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian American populations
Other Causes
- Genetic mutations and rare forms of diabetes (e.g., monogenic diabetes) caused by single gene changes.
- Diseases or damage to the pancreas (e.g., chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, hemochromatosis).
- Hormonal disorders and some medications can impair insulin production or action
In summary, diabetes results from insufficient insulin production, insulin resistance, or both, caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors depending on the diabetes type
