Untreated diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels. The high blood suger levels gives sympthoms of thearst and sugar in the urine. Diabetes requires medical diagnosis, treatment and often lifestyle changes.

There are two main forms of diabetes. These are diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2. More accurate these are not different types of diabetes, as type 1 and and type 2 are two completely different deseases. Type 1 is an autoimmune desease that destroy the insulin producing beta cells, while type 2 are due to insulin resistance by the body. Type 1 always need treatment by insulin but type 2 might be treated in other ways.

Type 1 is characterized by damage of the insulin-producing beta cells. This causes the body to stop producing insulin or to only producing a small amount. Because insulin cannot be given by mouth, it is given by injections. Type 1 more often starts in childhood, and was previous having the term juvenile diabetes.

But the onset of diabetes Type 1 can occur in any age and that's the reason for the name diabetes Type 1. Patients of type 1 are at risk of getting diabetic ketoacidosis. There might some genetic tendency, but the genetic circumstances are unclear. Most type 1 patients are slender.

Diabetes type 2 is the most widespread type of diabetes, and was previously only seen in adults above the age of 35. But now is start to be seen in young overweighed kids as well. Type 2 is characterized by insulin resistance regardless of sufficient insulin production.

But patients may not have symptoms before diagnosis. The greater part of type 2 patients are overweight. The majority of the type 2 patients are over 40. And that the reason diabetes type 2 was earlier called adult diabetes. But type 2 can start at any age.

The main difference in symptoms between type 1 and type 2 is that type 2 patients not can get diabetic ketoacidosis. There seems to be a strong genetic tendency. The treatment for type 2 might be by exercise, diet, and weight loss. But in most cases it necessary to use oral drugs which stimulate the release of insulin in the beta cells, or insulin injections. Frequently a combination of these different treatments would be required.

If you are worried about getting diabetes you should talk to your doctor. If do have diabetes there are several test to be done to find out if you have diabetes type 1 or type 2.