The body is a delicate mechanism that maintains itself by a process of checks and balances. A reduction in the production of insulin or the improper use of insulin produced in the body can result in a severe health condition known as Diabetes Mellitus.

The deficiency in the production of insulin in the body can result in persistently high levels of blood glucose, poor synthesis of proteins and a derangement of metabolic activity.

The level of glucose in the body can be determined by a glucose test. This test compares the current level of glucose in the body against the acceptable normal glucose blood levels to define the level of deficiency. Diabetes is broadly classified into Gestational Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Although Diabetes Mellitus is classified into these three categories, these three types are considered as types of pancreatic failures rather than as single separate diseases. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is caused by autoimmune destruction of beta cells by the insulin producing cells. Genetic causes of this type of diabetes are also common.

Type 1 diabetes is also known as Juvenile diabetes as it is common among children and adolescents and not so common among adults. Infants who have not been breast fed for at least three months have a risk of developing type 1 Diabetes. This type of diabetes is also called Insulin Independent Diabetes (IDDM) or Childhood Diabetes.

Currently, the only way to deal with this type is by injection or inhalation of insulin and by careful monitoring of blood glucose levels. For people above eighteen years of age, beta cells replacement is also being done. This type makes up about five to ten percent of the total number of cases in North America and Europe, although this varies by geographical location.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus occurs due to defective insulin production and defective insulin sensitivity. It was also called non-insulin dependant diabetes, adult-onset diabetes and obesity related diabetes. Genetics also plays a part in type 2 diabetes.

It is the more common type of diabetes and about ninety-ninety five percent of diabetes patients have this type of diabetes mellitus.

In type 2 diabetes, the insulin levels are initially normal or elevated but the peripheral tissues start to lose their responsiveness to insulin. Here the symptoms are very mild and may go unnoticed for years.

The symptoms one has to watch out for are body ache, tiredness, muscle pain, headache, anxiety Etc. It is more common among obese people between the ages of 30-45.

However, it is becoming increasingly common among adolescents as well. This is generally treated by a judicious adjustment in diet, increased exercise and weight loss programs.

Gestational Diabetes occurs when there is inadequate insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity or responsiveness. This is very similar to Type 2 Diabetes. This is found in pregnant women and there is generally no specific cause. However, it is believed that the hormones of pregnancy reduce responsiveness to insulin, thus causing the abnormally high sugar levels.

There is a greater chance of gestational diabetes occurring if there is a family history of Type 2 diabetes, obesity and also an ethnic background. During the 24th –28th week of pregnancy, a test for gestational diabetes is usually carried out.

This type of diabetes is usually treated through a combination of exercise and diet but if the problem persists, then the patient is treated with insulin.

If the diabetes is poorly treated then there is a chance of type 2 diabetes occurring later on in life and this could also result in the birth of a large baby. This can lead to complications during childbirth like the need for a cesarean section.

These are the three main classification of Diabetes Mellitus but there are also several rare types of diabetes that is not Type 1, Type 2 or Gestational diabetes. These can be caused by genetic defects in the Beta cells, Genetically related insulin resistance, diseases in the pancreas, hormonal defects and even use of certain Chemicals and Drugs.