What causes diabetes

Diabetes occurs when there is an issue with insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. As a result, the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels, and glucose builds up in the bloodstream. Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, but it can occur at any age.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. Initially, the pancreas produces extra insulin to compensate for the resistance, but over time, the pancreas cannot keep up and blood sugar levels rise. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to lifestyle factors, such as obesity, sedentary behavior, and poor diet, as well as genetics.

Other forms of diabetes include gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy and typically resolves after delivery, and rare forms of diabetes, such as monogenic diabetes, which is caused by a mutation in a single gene.

Diabetes can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and blindness. Therefore, it is important for people with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels through lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, and taking medication as prescribed. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol, can help prevent or delay the onset of complications.