Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of the cells that are responsible for making insulin; however, it is not known how or why these cells get destroyed. Experts have suggested that the destruction process may be triggered by a viral infection.
There are a number of different risk factors which may contribute to type 2 diabetes; these include:
- Age: people aged over 40 and those who have Black or Asian heritage and are aged over 25 are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- Being overweight: people who are overweight have a much higher risk of developing diabetes than people who are a healthy weight. Having a large waist can also increase the risk (women who have a waist measurement of over 31.5 inches, Asian men that have a measurement of over 35 inches and Black and White men that have a measurement of over 37 inches have a higher risk of diabetes)
- Family history: having a relative with type 2 diabetes increases your risk of developing diabetes; the chances are higher if the relative is a close relative (i.e. a parent or sibling)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Women that had gestational diabetes
- People with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia (both these conditions cause glucose levels in the blood to be higher than normal)
- Women that have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and are overweight
- Other health conditions, including heart disease, strokes and those that affect your circulatory system