Diabetes can be hereditary, or not. It is caused by the body not producing insulin the way it should. Years of not eating right, not exercising, and generally not taking care of your body can result in diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination and increased thirst. Other symptoms may include weight loss or gain and unusual fatigue. Long term illnesses and symptoms if diabetes is not treated include, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, nonketoic hyperosmolar coma, cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, retinal damage, diabetic nephropathy, and slow healing wounds that can result in gangrene and amputation.

There are three basic types of Diabetes. Diabetes 1 usually shows up early in life, during childhood or adolescence, but it can show up later. Diabetes 1 is usually treated by insulin injections. This is the worse strain of diabetes. With this type of diabetes, as well with any kind, you need to change your diet, get a good amount of exercise, control your blood pressure and cholesterol, and possibly take aspirin every day.

Diabetes 2, also known as non-insulin Dependant diabetes or adult-onset diabetes is caused by high glucose and is insulin resistance. This type of diabetes is often treated with just changes in diet and exercise. Sometimes diabetic pills may be prescribed.

The third type is called gestational diabetes, and usually only occurs in pregnant women. The mother has trouble processing carbohydrates. Most doctors test their expectant mothers for this type of diabetes. It is usually controlled by diet and disappears after the pregnancy.

Syndrome X, Polycystic Ovary disease, Hemocromatosis, and cystic fibrosis are additional types of insulin resistant diabetes. It is very important to get the right diagnosis. It is very possible to have the wrong kind diagnosed. If symptoms persist or get worse even during treatments, you need to have your doctor re-run tests to determine if the correct kind was diagnosed.