Diabetes is a chronic disease that is associated with high amounts of glucose in a patient’s blood. It affects roughly 29 million individuals in the United States alone. About 86 million people have what is known as prediabetes, and roughly 8 million individuals in the U.S. have diabetes but don’t know it. This is why understanding diabetes causes and symptoms is so important.
There are two forms of this condition: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Put simply, when the body is unable to properly utilize insulin (which is made by the pancreas and works on lowering blood sugar) or when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, blood sugar levels increase.
There are a few diabetes causes that you should be aware of so that you can take steps to prevent this condition from taking hold.
• Type 1 diabetes causes include environmental factors, including viruses, and genetics. This condition can develop when the immune system ends up attacking and destroying insulin-creating beta cells within the pancreas. Studies are being conducted in order to determine more precise causes, as well as the methods of prevention, for type 1 diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes can be caused by several factors, including genes, family history, insulin resistance, and being overweight, obese, or inactive.
Insulin resistance is often the beginning of type 2 diabetes. With insulin resistance, the liver, muscle, and fat cells within an individual’s body don’t utilize insulin correctly. The body then requires additional insulin in order to help move glucose when it needs to enter cells. The pancreas will start by making extra insulin to keep up with this demand, but over time, the pancreas won’t be able to keep making enough insulin, and that will cause the blood sugar to rise.
If you are overweight, obese, or inactive, you are also more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes. This is because the extra weight could lead to insulin resistance too. Where your body fat is located could also play a role, as belly fat is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This is why maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and using the best fat burner available will help you reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
If you are concerned about developing diabetes, definitely talk to your doctor. A simple blood test can tell you if your blood sugar level is normal or if you are at risk.