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Diabetes is a devastating disease which is becoming more common in western counties. The central problem in diabetes, no matter the particular type, it the regulation of blood sugar levels in the blood. In people with diabetes, blood sugar levels are not regulated properly. This leads to wild swings in those blood sugar levels, which can cause damage to many different organs if allowed to continue.

There are two primary types of Diabetes, known (so creatively) as Type I and Type II. Another sub-type of diabetes, known as gestational diabetes, is seen in some pregnant women, but it is really just a form of Type II.

People with Type I diabetes are born with a defect in the ability to product insulin in the pancreas. Insulin is a vital hormone made by the pancreas. It has numerous functions, but the most important feature of insulin is it role in allowing the cells of the body to absorb glucose. Without insulin, cells don't take in glucose, leaving it in your bloodstream. Consistently high levels of glucose in the blood can cause damage to the blood vessels themselves, as well as other organs.

Type I diabetes is thought to be autoimmune in nature. This means that your body mistakenly thinks that the cells which produce insulin, known as Beta cells, are foreign and must be destroyed. Of course, these insulin producing cells are not foreign and their destruction is not a good thing. Patients with Type I diabetes are most commonly diagnosed at an early age. They will need to take insulin injections for their entire lives, as doctors have no way of fixing the damaged cells in the pancreas.

Type II diabetes is by far more common than Type I. People with Type II diabetes still produce insulin in their pancreas, however the insulin is not taken up properly by the cells in the body. Type II diabetes is thought to have a genetic aspect, but it is primarily a disease related to lifestyle. People who are obese, don't exercise and eat an unhealthy diet are far more likely to show signs of Type II diabetes at some point in their lives. Patients with Type II diabetes can be treated in numerous ways. Diet control, exercise, and medications are all options for treating diabetics in this category.

So what are the symptoms of diabetes?

It's important to understand that many people will not show symptoms of diabetes, especially Type II, until the disease has advanced beyond the early stages. Diabetics will report being thirsty often. They will need to use the toilet more often than others.

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