Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes is usually known to be of two types- type 1 and type 2. The type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces no insulin at all since all the insulin producing cells in the pancreas get destroyed. The probable reason behind this damage is the body’s abnormal reaction to the pancreas cells however, the exact reason remains unknown. There is no permanent cure for type 1 diabetes.Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes

One of the most important ways of controlling it through the use of insulin injections. Nonetheless, there are always some risk factors involved behind every disease. A risk factor of a particular disease is something that increases the chances of getting it. However, you can develop type 1 diabetes in spite of the absence of these risk factors too.

Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes

  • Family history- This is one of the most prominent risk factors of the type 1 diabetes. Research has shown that the first child has the highest risk of developing the diabetic condition from the parent/s.
  • Genetic condition- The presence of certain genes is known to increase the chances of developing the type 1 diabetes. Genetic testing through clinical trial makes this clearer.
  • Auto-immune condition- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where it is the immune system of the body which attacks the pancreas cells and prevents them from producing insulin. Other auto-immune conditions such as Grave’s disease, Vitiligo, Pernicious anaemia, Lupus, Crohn’s disease all increase the chance of developing type 1 diabetes. Mumps and hepatitis also pose as dangers.
  • Geographical position- Some scientists believe that people living in certain geographical locations have higher risks of developing the type 1 diabetes. As believed, those living away from the equator have a higher risk so much so that those living in countries like Finland and Sardinia have the highest risk of getting type 1 diabetes – about three times more than those dwelling in a country like Venezuela.

Apart from these, there are some other risk factors which might lead to the development of type 1 diabetes. Some of these factors occur right after birth or during pregnancy such as being born with jaundice, or experiencing respiratory problems soon after birth, having breast- fed for a short duration, childhood obesity, unnatural weight at birth, etc.