From Everett, Massachussetts, USA: Why do I have diabetes if NO
one in my family has it? Yes, why does ANYONE develop diabetes?
This is a question that should have been addressed, and probably
was discussed, by your own diabetes management team with you and
your parents. The usual cause of type 1 diabetes is a process
whereby your own immune system (those processes of the body that
help you fight infections, deal with allergies, and help prevent
you from contracting illnesses for which you had your baby
shots/immunizations) produces proteins (called "antibodies")
which "attack" the pancreas and interfere with the ability to
manufacture insulin. When your own immune system begins to
"attack" and inflame yourself and specific organs, this is
called an "autoimmune" process. Autoimmune processes leading to
illnesses in people are actually rather common. Other examples
include conditions of the thyroid gland in your neck, rheumatoid
arthritis of the joints, specific types of anemia requiring
injections of Vitamin