A disease that occurs when the body is not able to use sugar as it should. The
          body needs sugar for growth and energy for daily activities. It gets sugar when it
          changes food into glucose (a form of sugar). A hormone called insulin is needed
          for the glucose to be taken up and used by the body. Diabetes occurs when the
          body cannot make use of the glucose in the blood for energy because either the
          pancreas is not able to make enough insulin or the insulin that is available is not
          effective. The beta cells in areas of the pancreas called the islets of Langerhans
          usually make insulin.

          There are two main types of diabetes mellitus: insulin-dependent (Type 1) and
          noninsulin-dependent (Type 2). In insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), the
          pancreas makes little or no insulin because the insulin-producing beta cells have
          been destroyed. This type usually appears suddenly and most commonly in
          younger people under age 30. Treatment consists of daily insulin injections or
          use of an insulin pump, a planned diet and regular exercise, and daily
          self-monitoring of blood glucose.

          In noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM), the pancreas makes some insulin,
          sometimes too much. The insulin, however, is not effective (see Insulin
          Resistance). NIDDM is controlled by diet and exercise and daily monitoring of
          glucose levels. Sometimes oral drugs that lower blood glucose levels or insulin
          injections are needed. This type of diabetes usually develops gradually, most
          often in people over 40 years of age. NIDDM accounts for 90 to 95 percent of
          diabetes.

          The signs of diabetes include having to urinate often, losing weight, getting very
          thirsty, and being hungry all the time. Other signs are blurred vision, itching, and
          slow healing of sores. People with untreated or undiagnosed diabetes are thirsty
          and have to urinate often because glucose builds to a high level in the
          bloodstream and the kidneys are working hard to flush out the extra amount.
          People with untreated diabetes often get hungry and tired because the body is
          not able to use food the way it should.

          In insulin-dependent diabetes, if the level of insulin is too low for a long period of
          time, the body begins to break down its stores of fat for energy. This causes the
          body to release acids (ketones) into the blood. The result is called ketoacidosis,
          a severe condition that may put a person into a coma if not treated right away.

          The causes of diabetes are not known. Scientists think that insulin- dependent
          diabetes may be more than one disease and may have many causes. They are
          looking at hereditary (whether or not the person has parents or other family
          members with the disease) and at factors both inside and outside the body,
          including viruses.