The starting point when looking at diabetes is to understand that it is a chronic disease which is distinguished by a distorted metabolism and raised blood sugar levels which give rise to reduced insulin levels. The symptoms of diabetes can mask themselves to look like many other disorders and the disease can therefore go undiagnosed for years. Screening for this particular condition is very important because early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the quality of life for those who are suffering from this disease.

There are two major types of diabetes that individuals who are not familiar with the disease normally find it hard to tell apart and these are type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells which itself is caused by an auto-immune attack. It cannot be prevented and accounts for roughly ten percent of all cases of diabetes (or more accurately diabetes mellitus) in North America and Europe. Type 1 diabetes is found in children and adults and is sometimes referred to as juvenile diabetes.

It is possible to treat type 1 diabetes very successfully by closely monitoring levels of blood glucose and adjusting the body's insulin level. Both forms of diabetes can require insulin and diabetic coma can follow if the body's insulin level falls too quickly.

In addition to taking insulin, type 1 diabetes is best managed by exercise and diet. Individuals with this disease have to be aware of their body glucose level and be sure that insulin is replaced by injection.

Type 2 diabetes is different from the type 1 form of this disease because it occurs as a result of a resistance to insulin or a sensitivity to insulin together with the body's lowered insulin production. This form of diabetes is commonly seen in people who suffer from obesity, are advanced in age, have a family history and who do not take enough exercise.

People with type 1 diabetes have to use medication because their bodies no longer have the ability to make insulin. Type 2 diabetics however have various different choices when it comes to keeping their condition under control. In some cases exercise and diet might be sufficient to keep type 2 diabetes under control but oral medication and insulin may also be part of a treatment plan.

There are many different treatment plans available but the most critical part of the treatment equation is the patient. This is chronic but that does not mean that it is a lost cause and there are plenty of ways to keep your body in good health when you are suffering from diabetes. Indeed, the diabetic is the most important factor in the fight against the side effects of this unfortunately all too common condition.