Diabetes is considered a silent killer if left overlooked or untreated. It is one of the most dangerous metabolic diseases of the modern world. It is an epidemic that plagues not only adults, but young children as well. Despite the increasing number of people who have this condition, not everyone is aware of the causes of diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where in the body does not make or appropriately use insulin, a hormone that is required to convert glucose (a simple sugar in food which is absorbed by the intestinal cells into the bloodstream) into energy. This causes the level of glucose in the blood to be too high. People affected with diabetes have little or no insulin production in their body leading to hyperglycemia. There are 3 types of Diabetes:
- Type I diabetes
- Type II diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes
Type I Diabetes
In Type I diabetes the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, causing a severe lack of insulin. It is believed that the pancreas is rendered incapable of making insulin because of an autoimmune attack by the body itself. This type of diabetes is more common in children and youth below 40 years. The major causes are:
- Hereditary: Genetics are found to be one of the reason for type 1 diabetes, but not as common as for type 2 diabetes.
- Genetic mutation: Exposure to certain food-borne chemical toxins leads to mutation of cells. These mutated cells attack the insulin producing cells resulting in low insulin level.
- Viruses: Some research suggests that viral infections may trigger the disease in genetically susceptible individuals.
About 10 percent of all the patients with diabetes have type 1 diabetes and require daily insulin treatment to sustain life.
Type II Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is also called non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes and is characterized by insulin resistance which may be combined with relatively reduced insulin secretion. In this case, the pancreas can still produce insulin, but the body is partially or completely unable to use it -- referred to as insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is typically recognized in adulthood, usually after the age of 40 years. The major causes are:
- Hereditary: This type of diabetes has strong genetic links, meaning if any of your immediate family member (parent, brother or sister) has diabetes, then it increases your risk for developing this form of diabetes.
- Obesity: Obesity or being overweight is another significant risk factor for developing this form of diabetes. This holds true in children as well as adults. It is estimated that for every 20 percent increase in your weight over desirable body weight, the chances to develop diabetes doubles.
- Diet: Improper nutrition, low protein and fiber intake, high intake of high-fat or refined products are the expected reasons for developing diabetes.
- Age: Increased age is a major factor and 80% of cases for Type II Diabetes occur after 50 year. Data shows that for each decade after 40 years of age regardless of weight there is an increase in incidence of diabetes.
- Stress: Emotional or physical disturbances are commonly blamed factors for causing diabetes.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Those who have sedentary lifestyles are more likely to have diabetes as compared to those who actively exercise.
- Miscellaneous factors: The other factors include excessive drug, high alcohol intake, high blood pressure, high blood triglyceride levels, etc.
About 90 percent of all the patients with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is usually controlled with diet, exercise, weight loss, and oral medications with about half the patients requiring insulin to control their blood sugar levels at some point in the course of their illness.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during the second half of pregnancy when pregnancy hormones block the insulin receptors of the cells, which causes high level of blood glucose. This is a very temporary stage and goes away once the baby is delivered. However, women who have gestational diabetes are more likely than other women to eventually develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Remember, knowing the causes is the first step in protecting yourself from this deadly disease.
Really a nice informative article with all basic introduction. Do not exercise if your blood glucose level is below 100 mg/dl. For that the best thing you can try is rest for while and check your blood sugar levels 15-20 min before you start exercising. Also, working out with partner would be motivating and protecting for you.