Even though diabetes may be caused by many of the same factors as other chronic conditions, people with diabetes often face stigma because there are misconceptions around what causes the disease.
For example, some think that diabetes is always caused by diet or lifestyle choices. Some believe all obese people will eventually develop the disease or pass on diabetes to their children.
The truth is, depending on the type, diabetes can be caused by a myriad of factors that researchers are still trying to figure out.
Type 1 Diabetes Causes
Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system starts attacking and destroying the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Without enough insulin, the body can’t regulate the blood sugar needed to create energy.
Although the disease usually occurs during childhood or adolescence, it can also develop in adults. And while it’s definitive cause is still unknown, Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by genetics and exposure to environmental factors that may trigger the disease. These include viruses such as German measles or mumps.
If you have a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes, your chances are slightly increased for developing the condition yourself. Researchers have also discovered that the disease can develop in people who have a variance of genes in their HLA (human leukocyte antigen) complex, which is used to help the immune system function properly.
Find out more about type 1 diabetes here.
Type 2 Diabetes Causes
More common in adults, type 2 diabetes occurs when your body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough to maintain a normal blood sugar level. Specifically why this happens is still unknown, although genetics and lifestyle factors (such as excess weight and inactivity) can be contributing factors. Being overweight is strongly linked to the development of type 2 diabetes but not everyone with the condition is overweight.
Find out more about type 2 diabetes here and how obesity can contribute to diabetes here
Most people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes will have the condition for the rest of their lives or until there is a cure. But more and more research is pointing to ways people can delay the progression of the disease and even reverse it. For example, researchers are currently working on preventing the destruction of the beta cells in people who are newly diagnosed with type 1. A recent study[1] showed that type 2 diabetes could be reversible by removing fat from the liver and pancreas through weight loss. Read more about reversing diabetes here.
As researchers worldwide continue to look for ways to cure diabetes, you too can delay or prevent future complications by managing your disease. That means keeping your blood sugar targets in check and working with your healthcare team to ensure you address any concerns early. Of course, the importance of staying active and eating well shouldn’t be discounted either.
[1] Newcastle University. “Type 2 diabetes is a reversible condition.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 September 2017.
