Causes of diabetes

Causes of diabetes 

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes: 

Type 1 diabetes happens when the body mistakenly destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

Autoimmune reaction:

1. Meaning of Autoimmune Reaction

An autoimmune reaction happens when the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells by mistake.

2. Normal Immune System Role

Normally, the immune system protects the body from germs like bacteria and viruses.

3. Mistaken Attack on Pancreas

In type 1 diabetes, the immune system wrongly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

4. Destruction of Beta Cells

These insulin-producing cells, called beta cells, get damaged or destroyed over time.

5. Loss of Insulin Production    

When beta cells are destroyed, the body cannot make insulin.

6. Resulting High Blood Sugar

Without insulin, sugar cannot enter cells and builds up in the blood.

7. Long-Term Effect

This autoimmune damage is permanent and leads to lifelong type 1 diabetes.

The immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells.

Scientists aren’t totally sure why this happens.

Genetics:

1. Meaning of Genetics

Genetics means traits and conditions passed from parents to children through genes.

2. Family History Link

Type 1 diabetes can run in families, so having a close relative with the disease increases risk.

3. Special Risk Genes

Certain genes affect how the immune system works and increase the chance of type 1 diabetes.

4. Genes Do Not Act Alone

Having these genes does not always cause diabetes by itself.

5. Interaction with Immune System

These genes make the immune system more likely to attack insulin-producing cells.

6. Triggering Factors Needed

Environmental triggers are often needed to start the autoimmune reaction.

7. HLA Genes

The main genes involved are called HLA genes (Human Leukocyte Antigen genes).

8. Role of HLA Genes

These genes help the immune system recognize what belongs to the body.

9. Mistake by Immune System

Certain HLA gene types increase the chance that the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells.

10. Overall Effect

Genetics increases risk, but it does not guarantee a person will develop type 1 diabetes.

Certain genes increase the chance, but it’s not inherited in a simple way.

Having a family member with Type 1 raises risk, but most people with Type 1 don’t have a family history.

Environmental triggers:

1. Meaning of Environmental Triggers

Environmental triggers are outside factors that can start disease in a person who is already at risk.

2. Link with Genetics

These triggers usually affect people who have genetic risk for type 1 diabetes.

3. Role of Infections

Some viral infections may confuse the immune system.

4. Immune System Reaction

After infection, the immune system may mistakenly attack insulin-producing cells.

5. Timing of Exposure

These triggers often act in childhood but can occur at any age.

6. Slow Damage Process

The immune attack happens gradually over months or years.

7. Final Result

Environmental triggers help start the autoimmune reaction that leads to type 1 diabetes.

Possible triggers (still being researched):

1. Meaning of Possible Triggers

Possible triggers are factors that may start type 1 diabetes in people who already have genetic risk.

2. Not a Single Cause

Type 1 diabetes does not start from one reason alone; triggers work along with genes.

3. Viral Infections

Certain viral infections may confuse the immune system and start an autoimmune reaction.

4. Immune System Confusion

After infection, the immune system may mistakenly attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

5. Early Life Factors

Some triggers may act during childhood when the immune system is still developing.

6. Gradual Cell Damage

The damage to insulin-making cells happens slowly over time.

7. Final Outcome

These triggers help start the process that leads to type 1 diabetes.

Certain viral infections; 

1. Meaning of Viral Infections

Viral infections are illnesses caused by viruses that enter and affect the body.

2. Connection with Type 1 Diabetes

In some people with genetic risk, viral infections may trigger type 1 diabetes.

3. Effect on Immune System

Viruses can confuse the immune system while it is fighting the infection.

4. Mistaken Immune Attack

After the infection, the immune system may wrongly attack insulin-producing cells.

5. Commonly Linked Viruses

Viruses such as enteroviruses, coxsackievirus, rubella virus, and mumps virus have been linked to type 1 diabetes.

6. Slow Damage Process

The damage to pancreatic cells happens gradually over time.

7. Type of viruses:

Enteroviruses

Enteroviruses are the most commonly linked group. They can infect the gut and spread to other organs.

Coxsackievirus

Coxsackievirus (a type of enterovirus) is strongly linked. It may infect the pancreas directly.

Rubella Virus

Rubella infection, especially before birth, can increase the risk of type 1 diabetes later.

Mumps Virus

Mumps can inflame the pancreas, which may damage insulin-producing cells.

Immune System Confusion

After these infections, the immune system may attack beta cells by mistake.

8.Final Result

These viral infections may start the autoimmune process leading to type 1 diabetes.

Early-life environmental factors:

1. Meaning of Early-Life Factors

Early-life environmental factors are conditions or exposures that happen during infancy or early childhood.

2. Link with Genetic Risk

These factors mainly affect children who already have genes linked to type 1 diabetes.

3. Developing Immune System

In early life, the immune system is still learning how to react properly.

4. Infections in Childhood

Early infections may disturb immune system balance.

5. Diet-Related Factors

Early feeding patterns may influence immune responses.

6. Immune System Mis not reaction

These factors may trigger the immune system to attack insulin-producing cells.

7. Long-Term Effect

Over time, this damage leads to loss of insulin and type 1 diabetes.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes happens when the body doesn’t respond well to insulin (insulin resistance) and eventually cannot make enough.

Insulin resistance: 

1. Meaning of Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance means the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin.

2. Normal Role of Insulin

Insulin helps sugar move from the blood into the body’s cells for energy.

3. Problem Begins

In insulin resistance, cells in muscles, fat, and liver ignore insulin’s signal.

4. Rise in Blood Sugar

Because sugar cannot enter cells easily, it builds up in the blood.

5. Pancreas Works Harder

The pancreas makes more insulin to try to control blood sugar.

6. Pancreas Gets Tired

Over time, the pancreas cannot keep up with the demand.

7. Final Result

Blood sugar stays high, leading to type 2 diabetes.

Genetics & family history:

1. Meaning of Genetics and Family History

Genetics means traits passed from parents to children. Family history means having relatives with the disease.

2. Higher Risk in Families

If one or both parents have type 2 diabetes, the risk of developing it increases.

3. Role of Genes

Genes carry instructions that control how the body makes and uses insulin.

4. TCF7L2 Gene

The TCF7L2 gene affects how insulin is released from the pancreas. Changes in this gene can reduce insulin production, raising blood sugar levels.

5. PPARG Gene

The PPARG gene helps control how fat cells use insulin. When this gene does not work properly, the body becomes more insulin resistant.

6. KCNJ11 Gene

The KCNJ11 gene controls insulin release from beta cells. Changes can reduce insulin release.

7. Combined Effect

These genes increase risk but do not directly cause diabetes.

8. Inherited Tendency

These genes can cause insulin resistance or reduced insulin production.

9. Genes Are Not the Only Cause

Having these genes does not guarantee diabetes.

10.Lifestyle Interaction

Unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and weight gain can activate genetic risk.

11. Final Outcome

Genetics increases risk, but lifestyle strongly influences type 2 diabetes development.

It tends to run in families.

Certain ethnic backgrounds have higher risk, but this doesn’t determine your identity or traits.

Low physical activity: 

1. Meaning of Low Physical Activity

Low physical activity means not doing enough exercise or body movement in daily life.

2. Role of Exercise in Blood Sugar Control

Physical activity helps muscles use sugar from the blood for energy.

3. Reduced Sugar Use by Muscles

When a person is inactive, muscles do not use sugar efficiently.

4. Increase in Insulin Resistance

Lack of movement makes body cells less sensitive to insulin.

5. Rise in Blood Sugar Levels

Because sugar is not used well, it stays in the blood.

6. Weight Gain Connection

Low activity often leads to weight gain, which increases insulin resistance.

7. Final Outcome

Over time, high blood sugar leads to type 2 diabetes.

Unbalanced eating patterns: 

1. Meaning of Unbalanced Eating

Unbalanced eating means regularly eating too much unhealthy food and not enough healthy food.

2. High Sugar and Refined Foods

Foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates quickly raise blood sugar levels.

3. Excess Calorie Intake

Eating more calories than the body needs leads to weight gain.

4. Weight Gain and Insulin Resistance

Extra body fat makes the body less responsive to insulin.

5. Low Fiber and Nutrients

Lack of fiber slows sugar control and affects digestion.

6. Stress on the Pancreas

Frequent high blood sugar forces the pancreas to work harder.

7. Final Result

Over time, these eating habits increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

High body fat:

(especially around the abdomen)

1. Meaning of High Body Fat

High body fat means having excess fat stored in the body, especially around the abdomen.

2. Fat Affects Insulin Action

Extra fat releases chemicals that interfere with how insulin works.

3. Development of Insulin Resistance

Because of these chemicals, body cells stop responding properly to insulin.

4. Increase in Blood Sugar

Sugar cannot enter cells easily and remains in the blood.

5. Pancreas Works Harder

The pancreas produces more insulin to control blood sugar.

6. Long-Term Strain on Pancreas

Over time, the pancreas cannot keep up with demand.

7. Final Outcome

This process leads to consistently high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes.

Hormonal conditions:

1. Meaning of Hormonal Conditions

Hormonal conditions are disorders where hormones are produced in too much or too little amount.

2. Role of Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers that control many body functions, including blood sugar use.

3. PCOS Hormones

In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the body produces higher levels of male-type hormones and has insulin imbalance.

4. Effect of PCOS on Insulin

High insulin levels in PCOS make body cells less sensitive to insulin.

5. Resulting Blood Sugar Rise

Sugar cannot enter cells properly, causing high blood sugar.

6. Cushing’s Syndrome Hormones

Cushing’s syndrome involves excess cortisol, a stress hormone.

7. Cortisol Effect on Sugar

High cortisol increases blood sugar and blocks insulin action.

8. Hormones That Raise Blood Sugar

Some hormones increase blood sugar or block insulin action.

9. Increased Insulin Resistance

These conditions make body cells less sensitive to insulin.

10. Long-Term Blood Sugar Rise

Because insulin does not work well, blood sugar stays high.

11. Final Outcome

Over time, hormonal problems can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Sleep problems:

1. Meaning of Sleep Problems

Sleep problems include not getting enough sleep or having poor-quality sleep regularly.

2. Role of Sleep in Body Balance

Good sleep helps control hormones that manage blood sugar and appetite.

3. Hormone Imbalance

Lack of sleep increases stress hormones that raise blood sugar levels.

4. Reduced Insulin Sensitivity

Poor sleep makes body cells less responsive to insulin.

5. Increased Hunger and Weight Gain

Sleep problems increase hunger hormones, leading to overeating.

6. Long-Term Blood Sugar Rise

Over time, these changes keep blood sugar levels high.

7. Final Outcome

Chronic sleep problems increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Stress:

1. Meaning of Stress

Stress is the body’s response to physical or emotional pressure.

2. Stress Hormones Release

During stress, the body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

3. Effect on Blood Sugar

These hormones increase blood sugar to prepare the body for action.

4. Reduced Insulin Effectiveness

High stress hormones make insulin work less effectively.

5. Unhealthy Coping Habits

Stress can lead to overeating, poor food choices, and low physical activity.

6. Long-Term Blood Sugar Increase

Ongoing stress keeps blood sugar levels high.

7. Final Outcome

Chronic stress increases insulin resistance and risk of type 2 diabetes.

Being born with low birth weight:

1. Meaning of Low Birth weight

Low birth weight means a baby is born weighing less than normal.

2. Early Body Development

Low birth weight can affect how organs, including the pancreas, develop.

3. Effect on Insulin Production

The pancreas may produce less insulin later in life.

4. Insulin Resistance Risk

The body may become less sensitive to insulin as the person grows.

5. Catch-Up Weight Gain

Rapid weight gain after birth can increase body fat.

6. Long-Term Blood Sugar Impact

These changes raise blood sugar levels over time.

7. Final Outcome

Low birth weight increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

Note: 

Teens can develop Type 2 diabetes, but it’s not caused by one single behavior. It’s a mix of genetics, environment, and health patterns.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot control blood sugar (glucose) properly. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes happen for different reasons, even though both cause high blood sugar.