Before studying the causes of diabetes you must understand what is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease caused by hormonal imbalance. Insulin is helpful in supply of sugar to various parts of the body. When the beta cells in either produce low quantities of insulin or does not produce insulin in the pancreas, such a stage is called diabetes. In other cases the insulin is produced in the pancreas but the blood cells do not respond to the insulin. This factor of insulin imbalance leads to diabetes.

Diabetes is classified in different categories based on the above factors. They are commonly known as Type-1 & Type-2 Diabetes.

In Type-1 Diabetes the insulin is not produced in the pancreas. This happens because beta cells producing insulin are attacked and destroyed by the bodys cells. Researches are yet to confirm why this happens. This system of attacking and destroying insulin producing cells has a name called autoimmune reaction. There are no proven results available to establish the cause of this destruction of cells. However certain results are indicative why this happens. They are as follows:

a) It may be result of specific bacterial or viral infection.
b) It may be the result of toxins which are consumed through food.
c) According to some scientists it is the result of cow milk feeding at a very young infant stage.

The above causes are only hypothesis and exact cause is yet to be established.

The other form of diabetes C Type-2 Diabetes develops under the following circumstances:

a) Insulin Resistance. In this stage though the insulin is produced in the pancreas but the blood cells do not respond to the insulin. This leads to excess production of insulin. This over production of insulin results in getting insulin-producing cells exhausted.

b) As a result of insulin producing cells getting exhausted, there may not be sufficient insulin available or the available insulin may not be normal for your body system.

Here are some other factors which may increase the risk of occurrence of Type-2 diabetes. These factors are Increasing Age, Overweight and Physical Inactivity.

There are some other causes which may increase the risk of diabetes occurrence. But these are not so common and may be found in rare cases.

Continued prolonged consumption of certain drugs/steroids/medicines may elevate the blood sugar leading to diabetes.

Women may suffer from Gestational diabetes during pregnancy period. However, this type of diabetes is temporary but chances of it converting into Type-2 diabetes can not be ruled out.

Some diseases affect the pancreas. The pancreas may be damaged as a result of these diseases. This results in the malfunction of the pancreas and non-production of insulin. This can lead to diabetes.

What doesnt cause diabetes?

You know that obesity C which is the cause of diabetes - is the result of eating sweets or the wrong kind of food. But eating sweets or the wrong type of food does not itself result in the occurrence of diabetes.

Stress may worsen the condition of diabetes but stress can not cause diabetes.

Diabetes is not contagious. It cannot spread from one person to another.

Above are the common and known causes of all types of diabetes. The best way to overcome this disease is to follow a life style which suits your body. If you follow certain tips like eating nutritious food, regular daily exercise, and avoid the use of steroids.

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