Causes of Diabetes
Cause of Diabetes: Either reduced insulin production or poor insulin metabolism, depending on subtype.
Cause statistics for Diabetes: The following are statistics from various sources about the causes of Diabetes:
- Statistics on the underlying causes of deaths due to diabetes and diabetes-related disorders:
- Diabetes was listed as the only cause of death in 1.7% of cases in Australia, 2002 (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
- 50% of deaths from diabetes also had heart disease as an associated cause of death in Australia, 2002 (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
- 22% of deaths from diabetes also had stroke as an associated cause of death in Australia, 2002 (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
- 15% of deaths from diabetes also had renal failure as an associated cause of death in Australia, 2002 (Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
Cause details for Diabetes: People develop diabetes for two reasons: the pancreas does not make enough insulin for the body's needs, or the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly, or both. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while the cells are starved of energy. Over the years, high blood glucose damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as blindness, heart and kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputation. 1
High blood sugar and high blood pressure damage the kidneys’ glomeruli. When the kidneys are damaged, the protein leaks out of the kidneys into the urine. Damaged kidneys do not do a good job of cleaning out waste and extra fluids. So not enough waste and fluids go out of the body as urine. Instead, they build up in your blood. 2
If you have diabetes, your body cannot properly convert foods into the energy needed for daily activity. Our bodies change the foods we eat into a form of sugar called glucose. Glucose travels through the bloodstream to "fuel" or feed our cells. Sometimes it is stored in the liver for future use. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas and helps cells take in the amount of glucose they need. People with diabetes do not make or properly use insulin. As a result, glucose builds up in their blood and causes many symptoms of diabetes such as feeling tired, losing weight, feeling hungry or thirsty, urinating frequently or having vision problems3
Underlying condition causes of Diabetes: The list of possible underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Diabetes) mentioned in various sources as possible causes of Diabetes includes:
- Metabolic syndrome - a syndrome with 4 key features (diabetes, hypertension, obesity/overweight, and high cholesterol).
- Insulin resistance
- 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
- Carcinoid syndrome - glucose intolerance, protean manifestations, serotonin inhibits insulin production
- Pancreas surgery
- Pancreas trauma (type of Pancreas conditions)
- Overactive pituitary gland
- Overactive adrenal glands
- Pancreatic insufficiency (see Pancreas symptoms)
- Acromegaly
- Cushing's disease (type of Cushing's syndrome)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Adenocarcinomas
- Somatostatinoma
- Aldosteronoma-induced hypokalaemia
- Phaeochromocytoma
- Primary aldosteronism
- Wolfram's syndrome
- Leprechaunism
- Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome
- Insulin autoantibodies (IAAs) - can inhibit insulin and lead to insulin resistance.
- Type B insulin resistance - insulin receptor antibodies can inhibit insulin action.
- Stiff Man syndrome - about half have Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies and get Type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes as a complication: Other conditions that might have Diabetes as a complication might be potential underlying causes of Diabetes. The list of conditions listing Diabetes as a complication in our database includes:
- Acromegaly
- Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
- Chronic Pancreatitis
- Cushing's syndrome
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Gigantism
- Hemochromatosis
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pancreatitis
- Physical inactivity
- POEMS
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Primary Hyperaldosteronism
- Prolactinoma
- Wolfram's disease
Diabetes as a symptom: Conditions listing Diabetes as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Diabetes. The list of conditions listing Diabetes as a symptom in our database includes:
- Chronic Pancreatitis
- Hemochromatosis
- Kearns-Sayre Syndrome
- Niacin overdose
- Pancreatitis
- Pheochromocytoma
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Polyendocrine deficiency syndrome type 2
Causes of Diabetes: medical news summaries: The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Diabetes:
- 52% of British people fear exercise for one reason or another
- 70% of people in India may have undiagnosed diabetes
- Children increasingly face adult diseases
- Chronic pancreatitis can lead to diabetes
- Depression may increase diabetes risk
- Diabetes and sugar level linked to risk of cancer death
- Diabetics are more prone to the potentially fatal bacteremia and sepsis
- Diabetics need to be aware of possible complications
- Early cessation of steroid following liver transplant increases rate of rejection
- Eating disorders can greatly increase the risk of complications in people with type 1 diabetes
- Excess weight is linked to a myriad of diseases
- Fast food diet linked to diabetes risk
- Fast food linked to weight increase and diabetes
- HIV patients face increased risk of diabetes and dementia
- International research aims to determine if cow’s milk increases risk of type 1 diabetes
- Liver disease is one of the biggest killers amongst diabetics
- Long-term offspring health may be affected by mother’s diet during pregnancy
- Lund disease may be linked to diabetes
- Moderate drinking has protective effect against type 2 diabetes
- New Dietary Guidelines support numerous research results
- New risk factors may be associated with cardiovascular disease risk
- Obesity increases risk of complications during pregnancy
- Obesity is associated with an increased risk of many conditions
- Oral health problems more prevalent in diabetics with poor sugar level control
- Pancreatic cancer surgery less common in black men
- Plant protein may protect against some human diseases
- Premature birth increases diabetes risk
- Prostate cancer risk reduced in diabetics
- Researchers discover part of brain that is partly responsible for weight control
- Scientists examine effects of lack of activity
- Scientists find exercise secrets in order to develop a pill to take the place of exercise
- Similar risk factors for kidney infection and urinary tract infection
- Some antipsychotic drugs linked to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- Symptoms of old age may be similar to many other treatable conditions
- Uncontrolled diabetes can have serious consequences
- Vioxx tended not to be used by targeted group
- Vitamin D essential for more than just bone health
Related information for causes of Diabetes:
Further relevant information on causes of Diabetes may be found
in the risk factors for Diabetes
and underlying causes of Diabetes.
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: NIDDK
2. excerpt from Keep your kidneys healthy: NIDDK
3. excerpt from Dealing With Diabetes - Age Page - Health Information: NIA
Last revision:
April 10, 2003
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