Causes of Diabetes

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Diabetes is caused when the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach) does not produce any or enough of the hormone insulin. It may also happen if the body cannot use insulin properly.

Insulin is very important because it is the only hormone in the body that can lower glucose levels. Without it, the glucose levels would build up in the blood stream after eating and spill out into the urine.

Type I diabetes

People with type I diabetes are unable to produce any or enough insulin. This is because the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas. In some cases, a virus infection may trigger type I diabetes.

Type II diabetes

In type II diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin, or the cells in the body do not react properly to the insulin. Type II diabetes is closely linked to obesity. If you are overweight, losing weight, eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise will greatly reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

If either type of diabetes runs in your family, you may be more likely to develop it.
You may be more likely to have type II diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Everyoneâ€™s risk of developing type II diabetes rises as they get older.
If you are of Asian, Afro-Caribbean or Middle-Eastern background you have a higher risk of developing type II diabetes.
The same is true if you are a woman who has given birth to a large baby (over 9 lbs/4 kg).
Rarely, diabetes can be caused by a disease of the pancreas called pancreatitis.