Causes and Types

Types of Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin Dependent Diabetes

Insulin dependent diabetes, also known as Type 1 diabetes, is the type of diabetes that results when the body's immune system attacks the beta cells of the pancreas. Consequently, the pancreas is no longer able to produce insulin. People usually find out that they have insulin dependent diabetes mellitus before reaching the age of 30, although it can be diagnosed at any age. Type 1 diabetes is treated with either oral or injected insulin.

Insulin Resistant Diabetes

The most common form of diabetes in America is Type 2 or insulin resistant diabetes mellitus, which is described by the American diabetes Association as a form of diabetes in which the body cannot absorb the insulin produced by the body. It is more common in adults over the age of 40, but is not uncommon (especially in minority groups) to be diagnosed as early as age 10. In many instances, insulin resistant diabetes can be controlled by diet and exercise; however, insulin resistant diabetes mellitus may ultimately lead to needing oral medications or daily insulin injections.

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Diabetes Causes

Causes of Diabetes

Adult onset, insulin dependent, juvenile diabetes, Type 1, Type 2?sounds confusing and rightly so. However, to help sort things out some simplification in terminology is in order. Type 1 Diabetics, once called juvenile diabetes, are insulin dependent. People with Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as adult onset diabetes, are insulin resistant. Each type of Diabetes is caused by an assortment of factors; but may share some commonalities. It is important to understand what are not causes of diabetes. These factors include exposure to a diabetic, getting diabetes from food, or stress. Sometimes, when one is under stress or has an illness, Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes may be discovered, but the illness was not cause of the diabetes?those situations merely brought the problem to the surface.

American Diabetics

There are 18.2 million people with diabetes in the United States. That means that 6.3 percent of all Americans are diabetic. Even more shocking is the fact some 5.2 million people (nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

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