What are the causes of diabetes miletus?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This leads to an absolute deficiency of insulin, which is needed to transport glucose from the blood into cells for energy. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, in which the cells of the body do not respond properly to insulin. Over time, the pancreas may also stop producing enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for 90-95% of all cases. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

* family history of diabetes

* overweight or obesity

* physical inactivity

* unhealthy diet

* certain ethnicities (African American, Hispanic, Native American)

* certain medical conditions (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, sleep apnea)

* pregnancy (gestational diabetes)

Other types of diabetes include:

* Monogenic diabetes, which is caused by a mutation in a single gene

* Secondary diabetes, which is caused by another medical condition, such as pancreatitis, Cushing's syndrome, or acromegaly

* Gestational diabetes, which is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy