by Tanya Smith

Created on: March 08, 2009   Last Updated: March 30, 2009

Every cell in your body needs sugar to give it energy and insulin makes it possible for your cells to extract glucose from your blood. Diabetes is the disease which interrupts this process. Diabetes mellitus is the common form where your body lacks insulin, either because your pancreas is not making enough of it, or because cells have become resistant to insulin. Diabetes insipidus is a very rare disease, caused by a deficiency of anti-diuretic hormone.

There are three types of diabetes: Type 1 (Insulin-Dependent); Type 2 (non-Insulin Dependent); Type 3 Gestational Diabetes.

Their characteristics are:

Type 1

-occurs before age 35, usually between 10-16 yrs

-equally affects men and women

-only 5-10% diabetics have this form

-insulin-producing cells are attacked by the immune system

-loss of ability of the pancreas to produce insulin

-triggered by genetics, toxins or viruses such as Cox-Sakievirus

Type 2

- most common type of diabetes, 90% of patients have this form

-more likely to affect people over 40

-obesity, sedentary lifestyle are related

-often a family history of diabetes

-doubles your risk of heart disease

-glucose is blocked from entering cells by insulin resistance

- blood sugar rises

- pancreas keeps producing more sugar and becomes exhausted

Type 3

-characterized by a rise in blood sugar in pregnant women

- resolves after childbirth

-increased risk of later developing Type 2 diabetes

Symptoms:

Diabetes causes a number of symptoms, some are related to the higher or lower blood sugar, others are caused by damage to organs. Weight loss is a long-term symptom of both.

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar include:

More frequent urination

Increased thirst

Rapid Breathing

Vomiting

Stomach cramps

Loss of consciousness, fainting, confusion

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar include:

Fatigue, Less energy, weakness

Increased appetite

Sudden sweating, trembling

Headache

Problems with vision

Pain and tingling in legs and feet

Loss of consciousness, fainting, confusion

Complications:

Diabetes is a leading cause of death and has many potential complications. Risks include damage to the heart, kidneys, liver, eyes, circulatory system and skin. It is important to monitor blood sugar closely and watch for complications. Retinopathy is an eye disorder that affects blood vessels in the retina. Diabetics should visit an eye doctor once a year to detect retinopathy early. Kidney damage, or Nephropathy, is a condition where the kidney's ability to filter waste is damaged. Measurements of protein in urine can detect this.

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