There are two main types of diabetes and the are: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Below I will briefly explain both and then dive deeper into Diabetes Mellitus, because it’s the most common around the world today.

Diabetes Insipidus:
This is not related to diabetes mellitus, although it has a similar name. It’s a rare and different condition in which your kidneys remove too much fluid from your body.

Diabetes mellitus:
Commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy. With diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make.
Untreated high blood sugar from diabetes can damage your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs.

TYPES
There are a few different types and they are:
* Type 1 diabetes: is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. It’s unclear what causes this attack. About 10 percent of people with diabetes have this type.
* Type 2 diabetes: occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin, and sugar builds up in your blood.
* Prediabetes: occurs when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
* Gestational diabetes: is high blood sugar during pregnancy. Insulin-blocking hormones produced by the placenta cause this type of diabetes.
Each type of diabetes has unique symptoms, causes, and treatments.

SYMPTOMS
Diabetes symptoms are generally caused by rising blood sugar.
General symptoms:
The general symptoms of diabetes include:
* increased hunger
* increased thirst
* weight loss
* Frequent urination
* Blurry vision
* Extreme fatigue
* Sores that don’t heal

SYMPTOMS IN MEN
In addition to the general symptoms of diabetes, men with diabetes may experience a decreased sex drive , erectile dysfunction (ED), and poor muscle strength.

SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN
Women with diabetes can also have symptoms such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections, and dry, itchy skin.

TYPE 1 DIABETES SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can include:
* extreme hunger
* increased thirst
* unintentional weight loss
* Frequent urination.
* blurry vision
* tiredness
It may also result in mood changes.

TYPE 2 DIABETES SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:
* increased hunger
* increased thirst
* increased urination
* blurry vision
* tiredness
* sores that are slow to heal
It may also cause recurring infections. This is because elevated glucose levels make it harder for the body to heal. Diabetes symptoms can be so mild that they’re hard to spot at first.

CAUSES
Different causes are associated with each type of diabetes.
TYPE 1 DIABETES
Doctors don’t know exactly what causes type 1 diabetes. For some reason, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Genes may play a role in some people. It’s also possible that a virus sets off the immune system attack.

TYPE 2 DIABETES
Type 2 diabetes stems from a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors with lifestyle factors being a major reoccurring cause. Being overweight or obese increases your risk too. Carrying extra weight, especially in your belly, makes your cells more resistant to the effects of insulin on your blood sugar.
This condition runs in families. Family members share genes that make them more likely to get type 2 diabetes and to be overweight.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Gestational diabetes is the result of hormonal changes during pregnancy. The placenta produces hormones that make a pregnant woman’s cells less sensitive to the effects of insulin. This can cause high blood sugar during pregnancy.
Women who are overweight when they get pregnant or who gain too much weight during their pregnancy are more likely to get gestational diabetes.

RISK FACTORS
Certain factors increase your risk for diabetes and they are:
TYPE 1 DIABETES
You’re more likely to get type 1 diabetes if you’re a child or teenager, you have a parent or sibling with the condition, or you carry certain genes that are linked to the disease.

TYPE 2 DIABETES
Your risk for type 2 diabetes increases if you:
* are overweight
* are age 45 or older
* have a parent or sibling with the condition
* aren’t physically active
* have had gestational diabetes
* have prediabetes
* have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides
* have African American, Hispanic or Latino American, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, American Indian, or Asian American ancestry

GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Your risk for gestational diabetes increases if you:
* are overweight
* are over age 25
* had gestational diabetes during a past pregnancy
* have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds.
* have a family history of type 2 diabetes
* have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

COMPLICATIONS
High blood sugar damages organs and tissues throughout your body. The higher your blood sugar is and the longer you live with it, the greater your risk for complications.
Complications associated with diabetes include:
* Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
* Neuropathy
* Retinopathy and vision loss
* Foot damage such as infections and sores that don’t heal
* Skin conditions such as bacterial and fungal infections
* Depression
* Dementia

GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to problems that affect both the mother and baby. Complications affecting the baby can include:
* Premature birth.
* Higher than normal weight at birth.
* increased risk for type 2 diabetes later in life
* Low blood sugar
* Jaundice
* stillbirth
The mother can develop complications such as high blood pressure (preeclampsia) or type 2 diabetes. She may also require cesarean delivery, commonly referred to as a C-section.
The mother’s risk of gestational diabetes in future pregnancies also increases.
Diabetes can lead to serious medical complications, but you can manage the condition with medications and lifestyle changes.

TREATMENT
Doctors treat diabetes with a few different medications. Some of these drugs are taken by mouth, while others are available as injections.

TYPE 1 DIABETES
Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. It replaces the hormone your body isn’t able to produce.
There are four types of insulin that are most commonly used. They’re differentiated by how quickly they start to work, and how long their effects last:
* Rapid-acting insulin starts to work within 15 minutes and its effects last for 3 to 4 hours.
* Short-acting insulin starts to work within 30 minutes and lasts 6 to 8 hours.
* Intermediate-acting insulin starts to work within 1 to 2 hours and lasts 12 to 18 hours.
* Long-acting insulin starts to work a few hours after injection and lasts 24 hours or longer.

TYPE 2 DIABETES
Diet and exercise can help some people manage type 2 diabetes. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower your blood sugar, you’ll need to take medication.

GESTATIONAL DIABETES
You’ll need to monitor your blood sugar level several times a day during pregnancy. If it’s high, dietary changes and exercise may or may not be enough to bring it down.
According to the Mayo Clinic, about 10 to 20 percent of women with gestational diabetes will need insulin to lower their blood sugar. Insulin is safe for the growing baby.

DIABETES AND DIET
Healthy eating is a central part of managing diabetes. In some cases, changing your diet may be enough to control the disease.

Type 1 diabetes
Your blood sugar level rises or falls based on the types of foods you eat. Starchy or sugary foods make blood sugar levels rise rapidly. Protein and fat cause more gradual increases.
Your medical team may recommend that you limit the amount of carbohydrates you eat each day. You’ll also need to balance your carb intake with your insulin doses.
Work with a dietitian who can help you design a diabetes meal plan. Getting the right balance of protein, fat, and carbs can help you control your blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetes
Eating the right types of foods can both control your blood sugar and help you lose any excess weight.
Carb counting is an important part of eating for type 2 diabetes. A dietitian can help you figure out how many grams of carbohydrates to eat at each meal.
In order to keep your blood sugar levels steady, try to eat small meals throughout the day. Emphasize healthy foods such as:
* Fruits
* Vegetables
* Whole grains (very important).
* lean protein such as poultry and fish
* Healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts
Certain other foods can undermine efforts to keep your blood sugar in control.

Gestational diabetes
Eating a well-balanced diet is important for both you and your baby during these nine months. Making the right food choices can also help you avoid diabetes medications.
Watch your portion sizes, and limit sugary or salty foods. Although you need some sugar to feed your growing baby, you should avoid eating too much.
Consider making an eating plan with the help of a dietitian or nutritionist. They’ll ensure that your diet has the right mix of macronutrients.

PREVENTION
Type 1 diabetes isn’t preventable because it’s caused by a problem with the immune system. Some causes of type 2 diabetes, such as your genes or age, aren’t under your control either.
Yet many other diabetes risk factors are controllable. Most diabetes prevention strategies involve making simple adjustments to your diet and fitness routine.
If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, here are a few things you can do to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes:
* Get at least 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling.
* Cut saturated and trans fats, along with refined carbohydrates, out of your diet.
* Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
* Eat smaller portions.
* Try to lose 7 percent of your body weight if you’re overweight or obese.

Finally Some types of diabetes like type 1 are caused by factors that are out of your control. Others like type 2 can be prevented with better food choices, increased activity, and weight loss.

For more information on diabetes such as foods to avoid, best supplements to take for prevention and management of diabetes, how to get them and also information about other chronic diseases and preventions:
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