Classification of Diabetes Mellitus:

The two major types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. The other two classifications include Gestational Diabetes and Secondary Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes was also referred to as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), or Juvenile Onset Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes also known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM), or Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus (AODM) or Maturity Onset Diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is rendered incapable of making insulin. The patient with type 1 diabetes must depend on the insulin medication for survival.

In patients with type 1 diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for insulin production, are attacked by the misdirected immune system which mistakenly manufactures antibodies and inflammatory cells.

The Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus includes the inclination to develop abnormal antibodies in type 1 diabetes that is genetically inherited. Exposure to certain viral infections (mumps and Coxsackie viruses) or other toxins may trigger abnormal antibody responses that damage the pancreatic cells.

Type 1 diabetes occurs in young, lean individuals, usually before 30 years of age, however, very occasionally it occurs in older persons. This subgroup is referred to as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes In Adults (LADA). LADA is a slow, progressive form of type 1 diabetes.

A diabetes mellitus statistics indicate that of all the Diabetic patients only just about 10% of the patients have type 1 diabetes and the remaining 90% have type 2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes is the third type that occurs during pregnancy and it usually resolves after pregnancy and delivery of the child.