Since there are three different types of diabetes there are multiple different reasons as to what causes them. Here is an overview of what causes each type of diabetes.

• Type 1 Diabetes Causes – Genes and environmental factors such as viruses
• Type 2 Diabetes Causes – Overweight, obesity and lack of activity: extra weight sometimes causes insulin resistance and therefore is common in people with type 2 diabetes. The location of where a person’s fat is also makes a difference such as if you have extra belly fat it is often linked to insulin resistance, diabetes and heart disease. Often times diabetes tends to run in families and occurs more often in racial/ethic groups such as in African Americans, Alaska natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Genes can also increase the chance of diabetes due to a person being more likely to being overweight or obese. type 2 diabetes often starts with a person’s inability to not use insulin well which is called insulin resistance. With this resistance your body needs more insulin to help transfer glucose into cells.
• Gestational Diabetes Causes – Pregnancy: due to the large amount of hormones caused by pregnancy, gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy. Insulin Resistance sometimes occurs in pregnant women later on in their pregnancy in which they cannot produce enough insulin. Women who are overweight or obese may already be borderline insulin resistant causing them to ultimately develop gestational diabetes. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy may also be a factor. Genes and a family history of diabetes can also contribute to gestational diabetes.

Other Causes of Diabetes: genetic mutations, Cystic Fibrosis, Hemochromatosis, hormonal diseases such as Cushing’s syndrome, Acromegaly, and hyperthyroidism. Some medications such as niacin, certain diuretics and anti-seizure drugs.

The goal of treatment for diabetes is to control blood glucose levels to avoid any further medical issues caused by the disease.

• Type 1 diabetes is managed with insulin as well as nutrition and exercise.
• Type 2 diabetes is managed with non-insulin medications, insulin, weight reductions and nutrition.

Medication Options:

• Insulin: helps deliver blood glucose to cells to use for energy. Usually start using insulin with one long-acting shot at night, such as insulin glargine (Lantus) or insulin determine (Levemir). Insulin must be injected because it will interfere with the normal digestion process.
• Metformin: this is usually the first drug prescribed and it works by lowering glucose production in the liver and improving your body’s sensitivity to insulin so that your body uses insulin more effectively.
• Sulfonylureas: these medications help your body secrete more insulin.
• Meglitinides: this helps stimulate the pancreas to secrete more insulin, but they’re faster acting, and the duration of their effect in the body is shorter.
• Thiazolidinediones – make the body’s tissues more sensitive to insulin.
• DPP-4 Inhibitors – helps reduce blood sugar levels, but tends to have a very modest effect
• GLP-1 receptor agonists – These injectable medications slow digestion and help lower blood sugar levels
• SGL2 Inhibitors- These drugs prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing sugar into the blood. Instead, the sugar is excreted in the urine.

Proper nutrition is always a factor in managing diabetes; there is not “diabetic diet” however most diabetics tend to avoid too many carbohydrates because they spike their blood glucose the highest. When a diabetic does choose carbohydrate options choosing food that are on the low glycemic side is helpful such as: berries, vegetables, beans and lentils.