what is diabetes mellitus

There are Two Types of Diabetes Mellitus

Type I diabetes mellitus is also called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), or juvenile onset diabetes mellitus. It is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas produces no insulin at all, and the patient relies on insulin medication for survival. Type I diabetes tends to occur in young, lean individuals, usually before 30 years of age. Approximately 10% of the patients with diabetes mellitus have IDDM. There is no cure for this type. 
 

Type II diabetes mellitus is also referred to as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), or adult onset diabetes mellitus (AODM).  It is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or properly use, insulin. 90% of all Diabetes Mellitus are of Type II. Type II diabetes mellitus occurs mostly in individuals over 40 years old. The incidence of type II diabetes increases with age. Unlike type I diabetes mellitus, 80% of type II diabetic patients are obese. Type II diabetes mellitus also has a strong genetic tendency.

It is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of elderly people,  a greater prevalence of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. In type II diabetes, patients can still produce insulin, but do so inadequately. The pancreas in these patients not only produces an insufficient amount of insulin, but also releases insulin late in response to increased glucose levels. Some type II diabetics have body cells that are resistant to the action of insulin (Insulin Resistance). Finally, the liver in these patients continues to produce glucose despite elevated glucose levels.

Type II diabetes once hardly ever struck before middle age, and the older you are the more at risk you are. Now it is striking younger people