What causes diabetes?
Jul 17, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, diabetes may be caused by factors such as aging, genetic predisposition, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and chronic pancreatitis. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Daily management should include maintaining regular and controlled meal times, avoiding prolonged fasting or overeating, and keeping emotionally stable.
Generally, diabetes may be caused by factors such as aging, genetic predisposition, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic pancreatitis, and others. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a physician's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Aging: With advancing age, the body's metabolic capacity declines, insulin secretion decreases, and sensitivity diminishes, making it easier for blood glucose levels to rise. This is considered a manifestation of physiological function decline. Maintain a regular routine, engage in mild exercises such as brisk walking or tai chi 3-5 times weekly for about 30 minutes each session, and monitor fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels regularly for early detection of abnormalities.
2. Genetic factors: If there is a family history of diabetes-related genes, the risk of offspring developing the condition significantly increases, often manifesting in middle age with no obvious early symptoms. Develop dietary habits low in salt, sugar, and fat, avoid overeating, maintain a healthy weight range, and reduce the influence of genetic factors.
3. Obesity: Excess weight causes fat cells to secrete inflammatory factors, reducing insulin sensitivity and impairing cellular glucose uptake and utilization, leading to diabetes, often accompanied by physical heaviness and reduced exercise tolerance. Weight reduction through dietary adjustments and consistent exercise, such as swimming or rope jumping, can improve glycemic control significantly, particularly with a 5%-10% reduction in body weight.
4. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Fat accumulation in the liver affects glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, leading to abnormal blood glucose regulation and subsequent diabetes, often accompanied by fatigue and discomfort in the liver area. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as metformin hydrochloride tablets, gliclazide tablets, or repaglinide tablets to control blood sugar levels, while also taking silymarin capsules to protect liver function. Alcohol consumption and high-fat diets should be avoided.
5. Chronic pancreatitis: Recurrent pancreatic inflammation damages pancreatic beta cells, leading to insufficient insulin secretion and ineffective blood glucose control, resulting in diabetes, often accompanied by recurrent upper abdominal pain and nausea. Patients may follow medical advice to use insulin injections, acarbose tablets, or glimepiride tablets to supplement insulin or promote glucose metabolism. In severe cases, pancreatic duct drainage surgery may be required to relieve ductal pressure and preserve remaining pancreatic function.
Daily management should include consistent meal timing and portion control, avoiding prolonged fasting or overeating, maintaining emotional stability, and minimizing blood glucose fluctuations. Long-term adherence to a healthy lifestyle and standardized treatment can effectively control the progression of diabetes.
