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What Causes Diabetes - Popular Misconceptions
The problem with understanding the causes or factors of diabetes is that there are many myths and misconceptions that are often thought to be facts. Consider the following myths when trying to understand diabetes:
Some people think that eating too much sugar and candy is what causes diabetes. Many people who are diagnosed with diabetes believe that eating too much candy or sugar is the cause. However, many people eat candy and sugary foods as part of a healthy diet and they never develop diabetes. While it is true that diet and exercise play a large part in who develops diabetes, sugar is actually not the cause.
Diabetes is categorized by the fact that you will have high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels are a result of your body either not producing insulin or it slowed in production. Insulin is the hormone that aids in the processing of sugar into glucose, which is absorbed by your cells, rather than staying in your blood. If this does not happen, you will have a high blood sugar level.
Only Racial Minorities Develop Diabetes. Studies show that diabetes is influenced by race. People that are of the African American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latino American, or American Indian/Alaskan Native heritage will have a higher risk of developing the disease. However, anyone of any race can develop diabetes. People of these races are simply shown to have a higher rate of people with the disease.
My Parents Didn't Have Diabetes So I Won't Develop It. If your mother or father were diagnosed with diabetes, you will have a higher risk of developing the disease than someone whose parents were not. Because you share DNA from both of your parents, you may very well develop many of the same conditions they did. However, even if no one in your family ever had diabetes, you may still develop it. As you can see, there are many contributing factors and not just one.
Only Old People Get Diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association over 18% of people over the age of 65 currently have diabetes. There are many types of diabetes and you can develop diabetes even if you are young. One form of diabetes is juvenile diabetes, which includes people in adolescence or who are young adults. Even women who are pregnant may develop gestational diabetes. Age can be a factor, but diabetes can affect anyone at any age.
Only Fat People Develop Diabetes. Obesity does play a large role in whether or not you will develop diabetes. But it is not what causes diabetes. Fat cells are know to have a fewer number of insulin receptors and they do release fatty acids, which can interrupt the metabolism of glucose. The larger a person is, the harder the pancreas will have to work to produce insulin as well.
However, while studies show that over 80% of people who develop diabetes are overweight, there are still 20% who are not. Being overweight can contribute to whether or not you develop diabetes, but even people who are consider slim may develop the disease.
As you can see, there are many things to consider in what causes diabetes. If you are trying to figure out if you are at risk for developing diabetes. The more factors you have in your life, the higher your risk will be of developing it. Luckily, many of these factors can be addressed and lower your risk. You can begin to workout and eat healthy to lose weight and lower your chances. While not all factors can be changed or controlled, never give up hope; many people beat the odds every day.
Related topics about What Causes Diabetes
Diabetes Symptoms
Excessive hunger or polyphagia is a symptom that you may have diabetes. This does not mean you are really hungry. If you have eaten with in a few hours and still feel like you are near starvation, you may need to be tested for diabetes.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus, also commonly called just diabetes, is a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or where the body's cells no longer respond to the insulin that is produced. Glucose, or blood sugar, is not absorbed into the body's cells. This disease can cause serious complications, including heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, and blindness.
Gestational Diabetes
The signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes are hunger, thirst, fatigue, and frequent urination. However, many of these symptoms are commons with pregnancy. Therefore, nearly all pregnant women submit to a glucose screening between 24-28 weeks of the pregnancy.