Arguably, diabetes has become one of the prominent conditions in the world today. Scholars assert that the lifestyle that people live nowadays could be a risk factor towards diabetes. As a matter of fact, diabetes is a condition where individuals are not in a position to produce sufficient insulin that is required by the body system. In some occasion, the cells of the human body do not respond well to the production of insulin. Insulin is very important in the human body because it moves simple sugar (glucose) from the blood into body cells. Debates today is known to be a lifelong condition (Allman 2). The condition mostly I associated with too much sugar in the blood system, due to the fact that the pancreas do not produce enough or does not fabricate insulin at all.
Undeniably, there are three types of diabetes that affect the body. These include type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, as well as GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus). In most scenarios, diabetes can be so silent for some time without showing any symptoms (Peacock 5). Individuals become aware of the condition when they develop health complications such as nerve disease, heart disease or blindness. Patients who are diabetic, especially with high sugar concentration in the blood experience polydipsia, frequent urination and polyphagia.
An individual can get diabetes in many ways. Type one diabetes is mainly caused by lack of insulin because insulin-producing cell in the pancreas has been destroyed. The type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, in that the immune system of the body destroys and attacks the beta cells. In a situation of an autoimmune disease the immune system of an individual attacks the its own body cells. Other causes of type 1 diabetes include environmental factors, as well as genetic risk factors (Matthews 2). After the development of a specific virus, type 1 diabetes begins to develop. In this case, environmental factor that take part in the development of the type I diabetes include toxins, foods, and viruses. Theories assert that the environmental factors trigger the destruction of beta cells by the autoimmune disease. Certainly, people with type 1 diabetes must use insulin so as to survive every day. Research has been carried on how to cure or prevent type 1 diabetes, but little has been found. The only known way is to keep the level of blood sugars in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes is mostly the common form of diabetes that is known. In this case, the body system does not turn out enough insulin, or the insulin manufactured is not used the way it is required. Studies show that as people grow up, they are at a risk of developing type 2 diabetes. As a matter of fact, the main cause of these types of diabetes has not been established, nevertheless, it is believed that lifestyle and genetics play a tremendous role (Allman 10). Nevertheless,. Type 2 diabetes is linked to genetic risk factors, inactivity, as well as obesity. In addition, the combination of various factors leads to type 2 diabetes. These factors include insulin resistance, and failure of liver cells, muscles and fat to use effectively insulin produced. Type 2 diabetes oftenly develops in obese individuals who are at the their middle age.
Scientists assert that environmental factors and genetic susceptibility triggers the development of type 2 diabetes. For example, TCF7L2 gene is believed to increase the susceptibility to diabetes. In general perspective, causes of type 2 diabetes are not clearly known, but the risk factors that trigger the development of type 2 diabetes include increasing age, bad diet, obesity, pregnancy, illness, as well as living a sedentary lifestyle.
Gestational diabetes is another type of diabetes. This type of diabetes affects women when they are pregnant. In this case, some women have a lot of sugars in their blood system, and the body system does not produce insulin that can transport glucose. Hence, it will lead to progressive rise in blood sugars. The causes of gestational diabetes are also unknown, but there are risk factors that trigger the development of this condition (Matthews 7). One of the causes is family history; it is asserted that there is a link between gestational diabetes with family history. Other reasons include overweight, polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as large fetus weight. The causes of gestational diabetes are also linked to genetics.
In conclusion, the causes of diabetes are not well established but above all the main causes include, beta cell dysfunction, insulin resistance, family history, environmental risk factors, lifestyle as well as genetic factors. There are other potential causes of diabetes that has been established, which include pancreatectomy, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), cushing syndrome, glucagona, as well as steroid induced. In general perspective, diabetes case has increased in the world today, and responsible stakeholders should focus on controlling the risk factors. The best way to control the development and rise of diabetes is to focus on our diet and eliminate all risk factors. Based on the studies there is no specific cause that has been proved.
Work cited
Matthews, David. Diabetes. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print.
Allman, Toney. Diabetes. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2008. Print.
Peacock, Judith. Diabetes. Mankato, MN: LifeMatters, 2000. Print.
