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All about Diabetes Mellitus -
Types of Diabetes
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Written by Online Health Guy
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus was called Non Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or adult onset diabetes. The characteristics of type 2 diabetes are “insulin resistance” in peripheral tissues and secretary defects of beta cells of pancreas which secrete insulin. Among all types of diabetes the type 2 diabetes is the commonest form. Type 2 diabetes is more common among women, especially women with a history of gestational diabetes and in blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans.
Type 2 diabetes has a strong genetic predisposition, evident from twin studies. The concordance of type 2 diabetes is 70%-90% among identical twins and if both parents have type II diabetes the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is approximately 40% among siblings. The other predisposing factors (including environmental factors) of development of type 2 diabetes include obesity, over nutrition, sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity) etc.
Insulin resistance is the main feature of type 2 diabetes and many non diabetic first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes patients have reduced glucose utilization in skeletal muscle. The defective beta cells of pancreas become exhausted, which lead to a cycle of glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). Insulin resistance leads the pancreas to secrete more insulin and lead to hyperinsulinemia (high level of insulin in blood). Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance ultimately lead to impaired glucose tolerance and development of symptomatic type 2 diabetes.
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Types of Diabetes 
