About Causes of Diabetes

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By Amelia Smith
eHow Contributing Writer

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Diabetes affects more than 23 million people in the United States, causing an increased risk of long-term complications such as blindness, cardiovascular disease, stroke, nerve damage, and kidney problems. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be caused by a variety of factors, including autoimmune disease, genetics, and environmental exposure to toxins.

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Autoimmune Disease

Type 1 diabetes develops when a person's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. As a result, it becomes impossible for the person's body to make insulin, and blood sugar levels rise, causing diabetes.

Viral Illness

In some people with type 1 diabetes, infection with a common virus (such as the Coxsackie virus) causes the autoimmune attack on the cells of the pancreas that causes diabetes.

Genetics

Developing type 2 diabetes can be caused by genetic factors. People with type 2 diabetes, which usually develops later in life, tend to have family members with the disease.

Ethnicity

Ethnicity plays a role in diabetes causes. Type 1 diabetes is more common in whites and blacks than Asians; Type 2 diabetes develops most often in blacks, American Indians and Hispanics.

Age

Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people older than 45, so age is considered a risk factor.

Nutrition and Obesity

Type 2 diabetes is associated with being overweight, eating a high-fat diet, and inactivity. Health conditions exacerbated by obesity and poor nutrition, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as drinking too much alcohol, are also associated with the development of diabetes.