Why do people get diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system, the body's system for fighting infection, attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Scientists think type 1 diabetes is caused by genes and environmental factors, such as viruses, that might trigger the disease.

What causes Type 2 diabetes in adults?

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown, although genetics and environmental factors, such as excess weight and inactivity, seem to be contributing factors.

How do you get type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes happens when your immune system destroys cells in your pancreas called beta cells. They're the ones that make insulin. Some people get a condition called secondary diabetes. It's similar to type 1, except the immune system doesn't destroy your beta cells.

How do you develop type 2 diabetes?

1.Lose weight. Dropping just 7% to 10% of your weight can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes in half.
2.Get active. Moving muscles use insulin. ...
3.Eat right. Avoid highly processed carbs, sugary drinks, and trans and saturated fats. ...
4.Quit smoking.

What are the main causes of diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system destroying the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This causes diabetes by leaving the body without enough insulin to function normally. This is called an autoimmune reaction, or autoimmune cause, because the body is attacking itself.

What is the definition of type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (also known as type 2 diabetes) is a long-term metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss.

What does it mean to be a brittle diabetic?

Brittle diabetes is a sub-type of type 1 diabetes. Brittle diabetes mellitus (or labile diabetes) is a term used to describe particularly hard to control type 1 diabetes. Those people who have brittle diabetes will experience frequent, extreme swings in blood glucose levels, causing hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

increased thirst and urination
1.increased hunger
2.fatigue
3.blurred vision
4.numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
5.sores that do not heal
6.unexplained weight loss

What causes blood glucose levels to fluctuate?

Glucose levels can fluctuate for variety of reasons. Unexplained elevations in your blood glucose values can be perplexing. ... Physical or emotional stress triggers the release of hormones called catecholamines, which often cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

How can you stay away from diabetes?

1.Lose extra weight. ...
2.Check your blood sugar level at least twice a day. ...
3.Get A1c blood tests to find out your average blood sugar for the past 2 to 3 months. ...
4.Track your carbohydrates. ...
5.Control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. ...
6.Keep moving.

How can you prevent diabetes?

In additon, people with prediabetes also have a higher risk of heart disease. Progression to diabetes among those with prediabetes is not inevitable. Studies suggest that weight loss and increased physical activity among people with prediabetes prevent or delay diabetes and may return blood glucose levels to normal.

What not to eat when you have type 2 diabetes?

To follow a healthy diet, you must first understand how different foods affect your blood sugar. Carbohydrates, which are found in grains, bread, pasta, milk, sweets, fruit, and starchy vegetables, are broken down into glucose in the blood faster than other types of food, which raises blood sugar levels.