Diabetes in children Causes

Causes of DIABETES IN CHILDREN

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. But in most children, it is caused when body’s own immune system that normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses, mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin’s role is to move the sugar from blood into cells, where it is stored and later used for energy. Lack of insulin causes high blood sugar and type 1 diabetes.  Also, exposure to certain viruses is known to trigger the disease. Family history also plays a role in causing diabetes.

In children with type 2 diabetes, the cells of the body fail to respond correctly to insulin, eventually causing high blood sugar. Family history, hereditary factors, poor diet, low activity levels and excess body weight around the waist increase the chances of developing this type of diabetes.¹

Ayurveda defines type 1 diabetes as a hereditary condition, which is caused due to genetic factors such as birth defects and is usually inherited from diabetic parents.⁵ Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is caused as a result of different diet or ahara practices, along with lifestyle or vihara habits such as:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Excessive sleep
• Excessive intake of sweet, sugary, salty, difficult to digest and cold foods, and raw grains
• Regular consumption of seafood and meat
• Regular consumption of sugarcane juice and milk products