Causes of Diabetes

The causes of diabetes are not clearly known. There is still a mystery in it. Medical scientists are unable to tell, thats why some people suffer from diabetes while others do not.Diet, is also a major factor responsible for causing diabetes.Diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas doesn't make enough or any of the hormone insulin, or when the insulin produced doesn't work effectively. In diabetes, this causes the level of glucose in the blood to be too high.The precise Etiology of most cases of diabetes is uncertain, although certain contributing factors are as follows:

Type 1 diabetes :

The cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, causing a severe lack of insulin.This may lead to autoimmune reaction.It is result of destruction of beta cells due to aggressive nature of cells present in the body.We don't know exactly why this happens, but we do know that some people are born with a tendency to develop diabetes. Then something "triggers" the onset of the disease. It may be a virus that triggers the onset, or it may be something in the environment. There is nothing a parent can do to prevent this from happening.

Type 2 diabetes:

Diabetes mellitus type 2 – formerly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes – is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.Type 2 diabetes is due to a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors.The classical symptoms of diabetes are polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger), fatigue and weight loss.There is also a strong inheritable genetic connection in type 2 diabetes: having relatives (especially first degree) with type 2 increases risks of developing type 2 diabetes very substantially.

Diabetes Myths:

 Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.
 Fact: No, it does not.  Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.

 Myth:Only people with diabetes need insulin.
 Fact:Everybody needs insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows the body to convert food into energy for activity.

 Myth:People with diabetes shouldn't exercise.
 Fact:The exact opposite is true: Exercise is a key component of any diabetes treatment plan, as it helps diabetics better use insulin  and lower or maintain weight.

 Myth:People with diabetes shouldn't exercise.
 Fact:  Being overweight is a risk factor for developing this disease, but other risk factors such as family history, ethnicity and age   also play a role. Unfortunately, too many people disregard the other risk factors for diabetes and think that weight is the only risk   factor for type 2 diabetes.

Causes of Diabetes and Prevention

Diabetes is now regarded as a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by a state of chronic hyperglycemia leading to a number of complications. e.g cardiovascular,renal,neurological,ocular and other such as intercurrent infections.The underlying cause of diabetes is the decreased production or action of insulin hormone which is secreted by the beta cells of islet of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Classification:
The WHO classifies the diabetes in the following categories:
1.Diabetes Mellitus(DM)
i)Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus(IDDM type 1)
ii)Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM type 2)
iii)Malnutrition related diabetes mellitus(MRDM)
iv)Other types(Secondary to pancreatic disease,hormonal imbalance,drug-induced,or genetic disorder)
2.Impaired glucose tolerence(IGT)
3.Gastrointestinal diabetes mellitus(GDM)
IDDM is the most severe form of disease.
Clinical Classification:
Two main types of the disease have long been recognized clinically:

1.The juvenile onset type:Usually developsduring the first 40 years of life in patients of normal or less than normal weight.Since administration of insulin is required for the patients of juvenile type diabetes,it is also called insulin dependent diabetes.

2.The adult or maturity onset type:
Usually develops in middle aged or elderly persons who are generally obese.The disease can be controlled by dietary control alone or by oral hypoglycemic drugs.
Causes of Diabetes Mellitus:

Insulin deficiency is the underlying cause of the diabetes which may be due to diseases of the pancreas,defective formation of the insulin,destruction of beta cells in the pancreas,defective formation of the insulin,destruction of beta cells in the pancreas,due to viral infections,decreased sensitivity of insulin,genetic defects or autoimmunity etc.In diabetes glucose utilization is decreased which leads to hyperglycemia(increased blood sugar level) and glycosuria(sugar in urine).

Prevention and Care of Diabetes:
Prevention of diabetes can be done under there headings i.e. primary,secondary and tertiary prevention.
PRIMARY PREVENTION:
Two strategies of primary prevention namely population strategy and high risk strategy,have been suggested.
Population strategy:

Prevention of IDDM is not possible presently.However prevention of NIDDM is possible.THe preventive measures include maintenance of normal body weight,by diet control and exercise.The diet should be restricted in sugar and it should be rich in protein and fibres.

High risk strategy:

There is no special strategy for IDDM. In patients of NIDDM it can be achieved by changing sudentary life style,correction of over eating and controlling of the body weight.

SECONDARY PREVENTION:

It includes adequate treatment to maintain blood glucose level close to normal level.Treatment is done by control of diet control and insulin.Proper management prevents the complications.Self care is very important.Patient should take his care according to medical advice.He should be able to do his urine sugar and blood sugar examination.

TERTIARY PREVENTION:

Diabetes is a disease which produces many complications such as blindness,kidney failure,coronary thrombosis and gangrene of the lower limbs.The objective of the tertiary level is to organise specialized clinics called Diabetetic Clinics and Units for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.