Types of Diabetes and the Causes of Diabetes

Diabetes is considered a silent killer if left unnoticed or untreated. The symptoms are exhibited only after the patient develops health-related issues. Diabetes is a condition where excess glucose is produced in the body. The pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin or the hormone producing insulin to control sugar levels in the body. The excess sugar produced within the blood is therefore not under control. As the insulin level decreases, the sugar level in the body increases. This causes long-term damages to many parts of the body and may even lead to death. There are many different types and causes of diabetes.

Glucose is an important constituent for the proper functioning of the body as it produces the required energy for routine activities such as working, exercising and other day-to-day chores. However, if glucose is produced in excess and it is not regulated by insulin it causes harm to the body. Glucose is obtained from the food intake and released into the blood by the liver. Insulin produced by the pancreas in a healthy person is usually sufficient to regulate the sugar levels. In a diabetic, the insulin is not enough or the usage is improper.

There are many types and causes of Diabetes:

Type-1 Diabetes- In this condition, the pancreas secretes very little insulin or completely stops producing insulin as the cells that control the sugar levels in the body are dead. This occurs as the body attacks and kills its own cells in the pancreas and this condition is known as the autoimmune reaction. Type 1 diabetes is caused due to many factors including alcohol consumption, infection or disease, removal of the pancreas by surgery and so on. This diabetes type can occur in children due to genetic reasons and in juveniles due to stress or hereditary reasons. Those affected with type 1 Diabetes are required to take daily insulin to survive.

Type-2 diabetes- In this condition the pancreas produce insulin but the cells receiving the insulin fail to be stimulated and this results in insulin resistance. As a result, there is an increase in the production of insulin and this may result in insufficient levels of insulin to control sugar level in the body. Type 2 diabetes generally affects adults. The causes of diabetes of this type include aging, being over weight and physical inactivity. This type of diabetes need not depend on insulin treatment but with proper diet, exercise and oral medication, it can be kept under long-term control.

Gestational Diabetes- This type of diabetes usually occurs during pregnancy and ends after the birth of the child. A woman who suffers from gestational diabetes has a lot of insulin in the body. However, certain hormones produced during gestation blocks the usage of insulin thereby creating an imbalance in sugar level.

Juvenile Diabetes- Juvenile diabetes is when the pancreas produces little or no insulin in a child. The causes of diabetes in juveniles are generally hereditary.