In general, diabetes is caused by the pancreas’ inability to effectively produce or utilize insulin. Type 1 diabetes involves a total absence or insufficient production of insulin. In type 2, the body is not producing enough insulin, or is insulin resistant.
Type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes) most commonly occurs in people under the age of 20. Although it is primarily diagnosed in childhood or teen years, adults can be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, as well. It is believed by doctors and research scientists that type 1 is possibly inherited, although it appears that an environmental factor such as a virus or toxin causes the body’s immune system to malfunction. The pancreas then attacks and destroys its own beta cells to the point that they no longer produce enough insulin to maintain normalcy of the body. As type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, it can manifest alongside other autoimmune diseases.
90 to 95% of diabetes cases are attributed to obesity and lack of physical activity. The majority of those who are obese and diagnosed with diabetes are type 2 patients. It is believed that type 2 is genetic, so scientists are studying several genes that may be involved in the cause of this form of diabetes.
Additional causes for type 2 diabetes are closely tied to poor diet high in fats, frequent consumption of alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, high blood triglyceride (fat) levels, or childbirth to an infant weighing in excess of nine pounds. Ethnicity may also play a role, as groups besides non-Hispanic Caucasians seem to be at higher risk. Finally, the potential of developing type 2 diabetes increases significantly through aging beyond 45 years, especially beyond age 65.
Gestational diabetes is a condition of pregnant patients with insulin resistance triggered as a reaction to the pregnancy-associated imbalances of cortisol, estrogen, and human placental lactogen. These patients generally return to full health after delivery of their baby, but may be at risk for type 2 diabetes.