Causes of Type 2 diabetes
Cause of Type 2 diabetes: Either poor insulin metabolism in the body (esp. muscles), or reduced pancreas insulin production, or both.
Cause of Type 2 diabetes: When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but, for unknown reasons, the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance. After several years, insulin production decreases. The result is the same as for type 1 diabetes--glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel. 1
Cause details for Type 2 diabetes: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas usually produces insulin, but for some reason, the body cannot use the insulin effectively. The end result is the same as for type 1 diabetes—an unhealthy buildup of glucose in the blood and an inability of the body to make efficient use of its main source of fuel. 2
Underlying condition causes of Type 2 diabetes: The list of possible underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Type 2 diabetes) mentioned in various sources as possible causes of Type 2 diabetes includes:
- Metabolic syndrome - a syndrome with 4 key features (diabetes, hypertension, obesity/overweight, and high cholesterol).
- Hemochromatosis - iron overload causes pancreas damage that can mimic Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
- Chronic pancreatitis - pancreas damage that can mimic diabetes.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - ovary cysts inhibit natural female hormones causing insulin resistance
- Cystic fibrosis
Type 2 diabetes as a complication: Other conditions that might have Type 2 diabetes as a complication might be potential underlying causes of Type 2 diabetes. The list of conditions listing Type 2 diabetes as a complication in our database includes:
- Acromegaly
- Chronic Pancreatitis
- Cushing's syndrome
- Gestational diabetes
- Gigantism
- Hemochromatosis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- Insulin Resistance
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Pancreatitis
- Physical inactivity
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
Type 2 diabetes as a symptom: Conditions listing Type 2 diabetes as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Type 2 diabetes. The list of conditions listing Type 2 diabetes as a symptom in our database includes:
Causes of Type 2 diabetes: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Type 2 diabetes:
- Aspirin may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes in obese people
- Childhood blood pressure linked to adult heart disease
- Children increasingly face adult diseases
- Fast food diet linked to diabetes risk
- Liver disease is one of the biggest killers amongst diabetics
- Long-term offspring health may be affected by mother’s diet during pregnancy
- Magnesium has a preventative effect on type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome can be treated with a low carbohydrate diet and exercise
- Metabolic syndrome mechanism defined
- Moderate drinking has protective effect against type 2 diabetes
- PCOS may be improved by the diet drug Xenical
- Researchers discover part of brain that is partly responsible for weight control
- Some antipsychotic drugs linked to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- Uncontrolled diabetes can have serious consequences
Related information for causes of Type 2 diabetes:
Further relevant information on causes of Type 2 diabetes may be found
in the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes
and underlying causes of Type 2 diabetes.
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Diabetes Overview: NIDDK
2. excerpt from Diabetes: NWHIC
Last revision:
April 10, 2003
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