Types of Diabetes explained by Dr. Burton S. Schuler,

There are two major types of diabetes. Type I, or insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), is when the cells that make insulin in the pancreas (beta cells) are totally destroyed. It is generally felt that this destruction of the beta cells is probably an autoimmune reaction; which means that the body’s own immune system turns against the body and kills these pancreatic cells that produce insulin. Because the beta cells are killed off, the pancreas then produces little or no insulin, with an end result of an unhealthy buildup of glucose in the blood. The person with Type I Diabetes must have daily injections of insulin to live. As of now, science is not sure why the body turns on itself to attack the insulin producing beta cells, but they think that both inheritance and viruses may be the causes. According to the American Diabetes Association, Type I (IDDM) accounts for 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. It is most commonly seen in childhood, thus the term “juvenile-onset”, but it also can occur to age 40 and above. The typical patient with Type I is lean as compared with the more obese patient in Type II. Symptoms of Type I usually develops very quickly, although destruction of the beta cells may have started months, or years, before. Symptoms of Type I includes increased thirst, urination, hunger, and weight loss. Increased tiredness and blurred vision, are also symptoms. If the patient is not diagnosed properly and treated properly with insulin, then the patient is exposed to having all of the complications of diabetes and being prone to premature death.
Type II, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) is by far the most common type of diabetes. Ninety to 95 percent of people with diabetes have NIDDM. Type II diabetes usually appears in adults who are 40 and above and is most common in adults over 55, that is why it is also referred to as “adult-onset diabetes” or “maturity-onset diabetes”. It affects more women than men. The vast majority of Type II patients, about 80%, are overweight.
In Type II diabetes, one of two things normally happens: 1. the pancreas usually produces insulin, but for some unknown reason the body cannot use this insulin becoming “resistant” to it, or 2. not enough insulin is produced by the pancreas. Regardless, in either case, the end result is the same: an abnormal buildup of glucose in the blood with a resulting inability of the body to properly use its main source of fuel.
The symptoms of Type II Diabetes tend to develop more slowly and are more vague and not as clear-cut as the symptoms in Type I. The most common symptoms of Type II include increased tiredness and or illness, increased urination at night, unusual thirst, unusual weight loss, blurred vision, increased infections, and abnormal healing time of sores. Treatment can vary from diet, exercise, weight loss, to oral drugs that increase the release of insulin. In some cases Type II diabetes can even be treated with insulin.
A third type of diabetes, called gestational diabetes, can appear in 3% of women during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually disappears once the pregnancy is over. Those women who do get gestational diabetes have a higher than normal risk of having Type II diabetes later in life.

Dr. Burton S. Schuler is a foot doctor, foot specialist (Podiatrist), of Panama City, Fl and the director of the Ambulatory Foot Clinics Podiatric Pain Management Center. He is also the author of the new book Why You Really Hurt: It All Starts In The Foot