Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by insulin resistance and increased blood sugar levels. It is vital to gain knowledge on the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes, to catch the condition on its onset and avoid long-term implications.
From Primary causes of Type 2 Diabetes to underlying causes of Type 2 Diabetes, there is an information overload online.
While your understanding of what Type 2 diabetes entails may already be solid, it’s crucial to delve deeper into the specific factors that lead to its onset. In this blog, we seek to shed light on the complex interplay of lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors that cause Type 2 Diabetes.
Understanding these Type 2 Diabetes causes will help you take proactive steps towards preventing and managing the condition.
The Most Common Causes of Type 2 Diabetes are:
1. Insulin Resistance
One of the primary causes of Type 2 diabetes is the body’s inability to properly use insulin, leading to insulin resistance. This means that cells in the body do not respond effectively to insulin, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. This might be an answer to the frequently asked question “What causes Type 2 Diabetes in Children?”
2. Genetics
The genetic causes of Type 2 Diabetes are a sad reality. Yes, for some individuals, diabetes is hereditary. Yes, your DNA might be the reason you get a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. The relation is quite simple – your genes determine the way your body makes insulin.
3. Lack Of Physical Activity
Living a sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity can slow down your metabolism and affect your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels and utilize insulin. Maintaining a regular exercise routine will benefit you in many ways.
4. Obesity
Excessive weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle put a strain on the normal functioning of your body, causing insulin resistance. Diets high in processed foods, sugary beverages, and unhealthy fats may make things worse. This is why Type 2 diabetes can even affect children.
5. Overactive Liver
Your body has a way of balancing extremes. When your blood sugar gets low due to hunger, your liver makes and sends out glucose. Once you eat, the blood sugar goes up and the liver slows down (and stores the excess glucose for later) But for some people, their liver stays super active even after a full meal – the result is excess sugar in the bloodstream throughout the day. This eventually leads to diabetes.
6. Internal Cell Dysfunction
Your body is made up of a complex network of cells and tissues that communicate effectively. If the cells miscommunicate or malfunction, it will affect the signals sent to your brain, thereby disrupting your body’s ability to make and use insulin or glucose.
7. Unhealthy Eating Choices
Indulgent dietary choices, such as excessive consumption of sugary and high-carbohydrate foods, can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance, thereby keeping the door open for Type 2 diabetes. Food with high fat content has become a daily staple in recent years, and it is no wonder that there are more cases of Type 2 diabetes in youngsters in recent times. According to research, Food is one of the main lifestyle causes of Type 2 Diabetes.
8. Chronic Stress
Stress can lead to hormonal imbalances and increased production of glucose by the liver, which can contribute to insulin resistance. Additionally, stress related overeating (which most of us love) makes matters worse.
9. Environmental Factors
Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins, pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals may contribute to insulin resistance. The environmental causes of Type 2 Diabetes can be countered by moving away from the polluted environment.
10. Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is a disorder characterised by repeated breathing interruptions during sleeping hours. This leads to reduced oxygen levels and poor sleep. This condition can trigger insulin resistance as disturbed sleep can lead to hormonal imbalance, thereby affecting the body’s glucose metabolism.
11. Lupus
Lupus is an auto-immune condition where your immune system attacks its own tissues. It can lead to inflammations and internal organ damage, which in turn might lead to Type 2 Diabetes. Additionally, the medications prescribed for Lupus can increase blood sugar levels and prolonged usage can lead to Type 2 Diabetes.
12. Pancreatitis
Acute Pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. When this happens, the inflammation can damage the insulin-producing beta cells and lead to impaired insulin secretion. And, you know what happens when insulin doesn’t secrete as normal…high chances of developing temporary or permanent Type 2 Diabetes.
13. Smoking
You might have heard the warning that cigarette smoking is injurious to health. It holds true in many ways, and one is leading to the development of Type 2 Diabetes. The nicotine and chemicals in cigarettes have the potential to cause inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby damaging the cells producing insulin in your pancreas. This prolonged insulin secretion impairment might lead to Type 2 Diabetes.
14. Alcohol
In recent years, there is a spike in social drinkers who take 1-2 drinks occasionally. We would call it moderate drinking, and your system bounces back to normal once the alcohol is excreted. But when alcohol consumption becomes excessive, your blood sugar level gets erratic, thereby leading to increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Additionally, excessive alcohol leads to Pancreatitis and Fatty Liver diseases.
15. Lack of Sleep
While Sleep Apnea is beyond your control, sleep deprivation is something many of us are guilty of putting our body through due to lifestyle choices. Chronic sleep deprivation can affect the hunger-inducing hormones Leptin and Gherlin. This hormonal imbalance leads to insulin resistance and increased blood sugar levels…the catalysts for developing Type 2 Diabetes.
16. Steroids
Though steroid is not an everyday use medication, it is sometimes prescribed to counter certain inflammations. Steroids can increase blood sugar levels by inducing increased glucose production in the liver, thereby reducing the effectiveness of insulin. The body bounces back to normal once the steroid dosage is completed. But, prolonged use of Steroids can significantly impair the way your body reacts to insulin. It might lead to Insulin resistance, the basic premise of Type 2 Diabetes.
17. PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an endocrine disorder, so is Type 2 Diabetes. Hormonal imbalance, the basic premise of PCOS, can lead to insulin resistance and obesity. This in turn can trigger high blood sugar levels, thereby increasing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
18. Sertraline/Lexapro
Sertraline and Lexapro are inhibitors used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. They can lead to weight and appetite changes…the factors closely associated with increased blood sugar levels. This in turn might influence your body’s glucose mechanism and insulin sensitivity.
19. Trauma
Trauma of any kind triggers your body’s stress response, releasing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline leading to spiked blood sugar levels. It is temporary till your body recovers. Sometimes the trauma could lead to chronic inflammation, thereby leading to impaired stress responses and insulin resistance.
20. Hyperthyroidism
It is a condition characterised by overactive thyroid glands producing excessive thyroid hormones. These excessive hormones stimulate the liver to produce more glucose. The result is excessive blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.
Hope you now have a good understanding of the primary causes of Type 2 Diabetes. This condition can be managed effortlessly if you understand the primary causes and make significant lifestyle changes. If you have a family history of diabetes, it’s crucial to regularly monitor your blood sugar levels. Keeping a close eye on your sugar levels can help detect any potential issues early and prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.
