Causes of Diabetes and
Risks of Developing Diabetes

Diabetes is not contagious — you cannot catch it from someone else. However some people are more at risk from developing diabetes than others. Let's have a look at some of the risk factors for some of the major forms of Diabetes and the causes of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes Risk Factors

Type 1 Diabetes is normally triggered by an infection (usually a viral infection), or after being exposed to certain drugs or other chemicals; but, to be honest, nobody is really sure.

It seems that your body's auto-immune system can sometimes inadvertently attack the beta cells in your pancreas to such an extent that they can no longer produce insulin.

There are genetic factors at play too (so if you have a parent who has Type 1 Diabetes then you are more likely to develop Type 1 than someone who does not) – but even in people who are already genetically disposed towards Type 1 Diabetes, it seems that some sort of external trigger is needed before the diabetes actually develops.

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

• Genetics (ie inheritance from your parents) can play a part in how likely you are to get Type 2 Diabetes, but many of the other (ie non-genetic) risks are preventable or manageable:
  

• Weight: your weight is the greatest risk for Type 2 – more than 80% of people with Type 2 Diabetes are overweight

• Activity: the amount of activity in your daily life is also a major factor – insufficient exercise is damaging to your health and can contribute towards obesity and hence Type 2 Diabetes

• Diet: an unhealthy diet can lead to obesity – too much fat, too many simple carbohydrates, and not enough dietary fibre all increase your risk of Type 2 – and more than 80% of people with Type 2 Diabetes are overweight (!)

• Relatives: you can't choose your relatives, so you can't choose your genes; if a relative has Type 2 then there is an increased chance you also will get it (the closer the relative, the higher the risk)

• Age: the older you are, the greater the risk of developing diabetes

• Blood: high blood pressure and high cholesterol increase your risk of Type 2 (and in fact many other illnesses)

• Gestational diabetes: women who develop gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing full Type 2

Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors

The risk factors for Gestational Diabetes are similar to those for Type 2, but include having given birth to a very large infant in previous pregnancy, and if you have had it before.

But if you think you might have diabetes, see a doctor for diagnosis now!