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Causes of Diabetes
By peace | November 21, 2007
If you are overweight, losing weight can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. No one actually knows why some people develop diabetes and others do not, but there are likely to be several factors involved. The causes of Type I diabetes are thought to be different from those of type 2. In fact, some researchers also believe there may be subtle distinctions to be made between people who have type 2 diabetes in that their condition is brought about in slightly different ways.
Inherited Factors
Although the genes you inherit from both your parents may play a part in determining whether you get diabetes, it is not a straightforward inherited disease, in the way that haemophilia or cystic fibrosis are. The genetic link is also thought to be stronger in type II diabetes.
Having a close relative with diabetes does not mean you are bound to get it. In fact many people with the condition know of no close family members who are similarly affected. In young people, the trigger may well be a virus(mumps and the Coxsackie group are among the suspects), but there is no enough evidence to support this fact.
Non-inherited Factors
In older people, weight and diet may be a significant factor since most people who develop type 2 diabetes are overweight. There are geographical factors, with some areas having higher incidence of diabetes than others. This may be partly due to diet and/or environmental factors.
Some illnesses may make you more likely to develop diabetes, including those which alter the balance of other hormones in the body. Culprits can include thyroid disease and Cushing’s syndrome, inflammation of the pancreas and cystic fibrosis.
Another condition, diabetes insipidus, is a rare disorder of the pituitary gland in the brain. It is completely unrelated to the more common diabetes mellitus.
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can damage the pancreas and so cause diabetes.
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