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There are two main forms of diabetes:

Type 1, previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes; in type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin.

Type 2, previously known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes; in type 2 diabetes, cell become resistant to insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common, accounting for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases. Another type of diabetes, gestational diabetes, occurs during pregnancy.

Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in people under the ages of 30 and often develops suddenly. Symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea, and rapid weight loss. When blood glucose levels rise, glucose spills into the urine, taking water with it and causing frequent urination and increased thirst. Although blood glucose levels are high, insulin is lacking and so glucose cannot get into cells to be burned for energy, causing weight loss and feelings of hunger.

People with diabetes type 1 require lifelong, daily insulin injections balanced with a healthful diet and regular exercise to maintain blood glucose levels in the normal range. Since exercise lowers blood glucose levels, individuals must consider the timing of exercise in addition to food intake and insulin injections to avoid lowering blood glucose levels too far.

In diabetes type 2, glucose has trouble entering body cells because either the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or cells in the body become resistant to the action of insulin. Although obesity is the cause of insulin resistance in most people with type 2 diabetes, genetic factors may play a role for some lean individuals with this type of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in overweight individuals aged 45 and older.

Diet and exercise are the primary management tools for type2 diabetes, and weight loss often restores normal glucose metabolism. Exercise increase the sensitivity of body cells. If Diet and exercise fail to maintain blood glucose levels in the normal range, people with type 2 diabetes sometimes need medications to either increase insulin production or improve glucose uptake by cells. In some cases, Insulin in needs to normalize blood glucose levels.