Diabetes is a complex disease that affects millions of people in the United States alone. And while it is a disease that does not have to be fatal, it can easily have devastating results if not managed properly. Those who have had the disease since childhood usually are able to manage the condition because they adjusted at an early age to taking insulin and eating the appropriate foods. However, those who become afflicted later in life often have a more difficult time adjusting. To get an idea of the complexity the disease, we will look at five things you should know about it.

There Are Four Types

Many people, even diabetics, assume there are only two known types of diabetes: Type I, which is also known as Juvenile Onset, and Type II, which is often known as the "adult version." However, many are surprised to know that there are actually four types that one can be afflicted by. Let's take a brief look at the four:

Type I: As mentioned previously, this form of the disease is usually known to affect children at a young age. It results from the body's immune system destroying the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body no longer produces this insulin and a synthetic version then must be taken to control blood sugar levels. This form is usually known as the more serious version as it affects the people throughout their lives and can have long-term affects including loss of limbs, and blindness.

Type II: This is the most common type of diabetes and accounts for up to 95 percent of diabetic cases. While children can develop this disease as well, it is most commonly found in adults, and is usually controlled through diet and medication.

Prediabetes and Insulin Resistance: This is a lesser-known, yet widespread form of the disease, affecting 41 million people. While it is not quite the full-blown condition, it results in impaired glucose tolerance and increases the risk of heart disease.

Gestational: This occurs in pregnant women and can cause complications for both the mother and baby.

Diabetes It Can Be Fatal

While it is very possible to manage any form of the disease and live a long and relatively healthy life, many people don't realize that, especially in the Type I version, it is highly fatal and must be managed well on a daily basis. This includes eating the proper diet and maintaining the proper glucose-to-insulin ratio throughout each day. Failure to do can result in insulin shock or even a coma that can result in death within as little as a few hours.

Diet is Extremely Important

The diet of a diabetic is extremely important, regardless of the type the person is afflicted with. The reason diet is so important is because blood sugar levels need to be controlled. In the Type I version, the pancreas is not creating a comparable level of insulin to match the amount of sugar being put in the system. So if you put too much sugar in the system and not enough insulin, the body will be unable to break the sugar down, putting the body in shock. At the same time, if the patient uses too much insulin and not take in enough food, blood sugar levels will be too low and you will see the patient act the same as someone with too much alcohol in his system; he might bump into walls and speak incoherently. To make sure the ratios are a perfect match, it is important to follow doctor's dietary instructions every day.

Weight Loss Can Be a Warning Sign

One of the many warning signs new diabetics may find to be symptomatic is significant weight loss, even in Type II diabetes. Additional warning signs can include increased thirst, increased hunger, unexplained fatigue, frequent urination, blurred vision, and headaches.

Everyone Does Not Have to Take Insulin

Insulin has come to be a synonymous word with the disease, however many patients do not have to take insulin, instead being prescribed oral medications to control blood sugar levels. Usually, the oral medications are more common in those with the Type II version, while insulin is more common in Type I version, however there are some patients with Type II who find they need insulin. Many others with the latter version are able to control their disease through diet and losing weight.

Diabetes can be a complicated disease that affects millions in its various forms. However, all forms can be managed if the proper steps are taken to maintain quality health. This means all medications and dietary instructions should be abided by. But if all is taken care of properly, then a person with diabetes can live as long and healthy a life as person without the disease.