There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is almost always diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes was first called “juvenile diabetes” but has since been termed Type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is serious but not necessarily fatal, and those diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes can and do live long, productive, and very active lives. Type 1 diabetics are very likely to be insulin dependent.

Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed later in life. Type 2 diabetes is not often insulin dependent. It is most often controlled only by diet and exercise, or by a combination of diet, exercise, and oral medications.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are basically the same disease and cause the same problem — too much sugar in the bloodstream. The difference is that in Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce any insulin; but in Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does produce some insulin (the insulin produced is less efficient at moving sugar out of the bloodstream).

The symptoms of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are:

* Weight gain or weight loss

* Fatigue

* Excessive and frequent urination

* Blurred vision

* Sores or wounds that do not heal

* Extreme thirst and/or hunger

* A tingling sensation in the legs/feet and arms/hands

In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the symptom decrease or disappear with treatment.

The primary symptom of Type 1 diabetes is nausea accompanied by vomiting. The nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, and dehydration can lead to a whole host of other problems. The primary symptom of Type 2 diabetes is an increased appetite that leads to weight gain, or an increased metabolism rate that leads to weight loss. Both types of diabetes can be controlled by diet, exercise, and medication and diabetics live long and productive lives if they take care of themselves.