The causes of Diabetes Mellitus and how to prevent it ?

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most prevalent disease worldwide .About 50 million people have type 1 DM and 300 million have type 2 DM . Its incidence and complication can be decreased by life style and pharmacological intervention .

What is Diabetes Mellitus (DM) ?

It is metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion from the pancreas or defects in its actions or both .

This disease has two types , Type 1 DM which appear at early age usually in the childhood or teenage , Type 2 DM which appears usually at 40s .

So , what is the risk factors which lead to this disease :

Type 1 DM :

• Your genes , genes control everything in our bodies specially if we talk about DM as there is 18 genes control your susceptibility for this disease specially if you first degree relative has the disease .
• Viral infection when you were in the uterus ! this viruses are Coxsackie B, Mumps ,Rubella , Cytomegalo virus .
• The Nutrition : nutrition specially in your childhood is very important as it determine your health status after that . There is some food which harmful to your pancreas :

1. Nitrosamines which present in the smoked and preserved food and also in milk formula
2. Early introduction cow's milk to neonates
3. Vitamin  D deficiency 

• Autoimmunity which is controlled also by your genes 

The causes of Type 2 DM :

• like type 1 , type 2 has autoimmune risk factor
• Ditary factor : too calories , cholesterol , fats , refined sugar 
• Mental stress : yesss ! anger , fear and anxiety can develop you DM 
• Obesity 
• Physical inactivity and sedentary life 
• Diabetogenic drugs e.g. Thiazide diuretics ,Corticosteroid and Hormonal Contraceptive 

Now , you know the causes ,let's know how to prevent it :

• Antibody Screening : in type 1 , immune system attacks insulin-producing cells and produce antibodies against pancreatic tissue which present up to 8 years before onset of DM .
• Prevention of viral infection and good nutrition during pregnancy 
• Breast feeding , delay introduction of cow's milk and vitamin D supplementation .
• Healthy life style through physical exercise less carbohydrates and fats and omega 3.