The condition can be caused by a failure of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin or by the body's resistance to the action of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which enables the body to regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in a person's blood.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 15 million Americans have diabetes-and approximately half of them suffer from the disease unknowingly. Many people are unaware that they have the condition because mild diabetes can continue for years with virtually no symptoms.There are two types of diabetes. Insulin dependent diabetes (Type 1) most often strikes children and young adults. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little to no insulin. In noninsulin dependent diabetes (Type 2), the pancreas does produce insulin, but the person's body is unable to process it. Most people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes are over the age of 40; many are overweight or even obese.There is no one definitive factor known to cause diabetes. Heredity does playa part: Approximately two-thirds of all people with diabetes have one or more family members with the disease. Environmental toxins, autoimmune disorders, and viruses (such as mumps or hepatitis) are believed to cause Type 1 diabetes. Obesity significantly raises your risk for Type 2 diabetes.If not treated, both types of diabetes can result in serious complications. Vision problems, caused by a weakening of the capillaries that supply blood to the eye, are common among people with diabetes and can result in blindness. Kidney disease, also caused by a deterioration of the small blood vessels is another common malady. In addition, people with diabetes are at high risk for developing coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, skin infections, and gangrene (because of poor circulation in the legs).Signs and SymptomsIncreased thirst and urinationFatigueWeight loss despite an increased appetiteRecurrent skin infectionsFrequent vaginitis (in women)Nausea and vomitingBlurred and/or weakened visionLoss of consciousness or confusionNumbness in hands or feetConventional Medical TreatmentTo diagnose diabetes, your physician takes urine and blood samples and tests both samples for high blood sugar levels. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you will need to adjust your insulin levels. Since insulin cannot be taken orally, people with Type 1 have to receive daily insulin injections. Your doctor will teach you how to give yourself the necessary insulin injections. At first, this might sound unpleasant, but it quickly becomes part of your daily routine. Some people with Type 2 diabetes are able to control the condition through diet and exercise. Others may require an oral hypoglycemic medication to stimulate the production of insulin.For either type of diabetes, a diet of complex carbohydrates (brown rice and whole grains), fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and dairy products is also prescribed. Moderate exercise is also a necessity for people with diabetes. Because obesity exacerbates diabetes, overweight individuals are advised to regulate their weight through a sound regimen of low-fat foods and moderate physical activity.