Diabetes Causes and Prevention

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body's natural ability to change carbohydrates and sugars into energy. There is no known cause for the onset of diabetes. However, there are certain factors that place a person at higher risk of contracting diabetes.

The risk factors of diabetes can include:

· A family history of diabetes

· Obesity

· Poor diet

· Physical inactivity

Different Types/Different Causes of Diabetes

There are three main types of diabetes - type-1, type-2, and gestational. Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and most often affects children and young adults. An autoimmune disease is one in which the body's ability to fight infections is decreased causing the body to attack its own cells. In type-1 diabetes, the body often attacks the beta cells in the pancreas - the cells that produce insulin in the body. The main diabetes causes of type-1 diabetes are:

· Infections with specific bacteria or viruses

· Food-borne chemical toxins

· Cows milk - an unidentified component in cow's milk can trigger an autoimmune reaction in the body. Young infants who are given cow's milk have a higher risk of contracting type-1 diabetes.

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The main diabetes causes of type-2 diabetes are:

· Increasing age

· Obesity

· Physical inactivity

· Poor diet

The main diabetes causes of gestational diabetes are:

· Hormones produced during pregnancy blocking actions of insulin

· Mother's body can't produce enough insulin

Common Causes of Diabetes

There are some common diabetes causes that include genetic causes as well as environmental causes. The risk of diabetes is higher if there is a family history of diabetes. Environmental factors that can lead to the onset of diabetes include poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and stress. Diabetes is a disease that can be prevented - or controlled once a diagnosis has been made.

Prevention and Control in Diabetes