There is still much research being done into diabetes, what its causes are and how it can be detected. Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems is people not realizing they have diabetes. They don't do anything until they see other severe symptoms and by then it's often too late.

Only approximately 10% of diabetes sufferers have type 1 diabetes. This is usually diagnosed in childhood; hence the name juvenile onset diabetes. However, it can technically occur into adulthood. Type 1 diabetes is largely still a mystery. The body, for some reason, destroys its own insulin producing cells. This leaves the person with no insulin. The sufferer is then completely reliant on being treated with insulin. There are genetic factors at play with the onset of type 1 diabetes. There can other factors as well, such as certain viruses or other environmental causes.

Type 2 diabetes is the far more common version of the disease. Up to 90% or more of all diabetes sufferers have this version of the disease. The body develops a complex resistance to insulin. Insulin in the body is used to control blood sugar. When the body produces insulin, the blood sugar in the body is lowered. In this way, insulin regulates the energy you receive from blood sugar (glucose) as well as monitoring the level naturally.

With an insulin resistance, the body does not regulate itself as well. Blood sugar levels become higher than normal due to this. Type 2 diabetes can be passed from generation to generation and is often found in overweight people or those with very bad diets. However, there are skinny and healthy people who suffer from this version of diabetes as well.

What you eat can play a big factor with type 2 diabetes. If you catch it before it's too late, you can even reverse the trend in your body. Taking out carbohydrates, which are broken down into sugar, is one step. Another step you can take is eating smaller meals more frequently, as opposed to larger meals just two or three times a day.

The most important step you can take however is to be informed. You need to get your blood sugar tested and evaluated. This is particularly true if you have a family history or if you notice other symptoms. Symptoms are wide ranging and could include lethargy, or in men, erectile dysfunction. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled effectively in most cases without the need for insulin shots.

Staying informed and living a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise is the best thing you can do to prevent the onset of diabetes, and to battle it once you are diagnosed.