Diabetes occurs when glucose (sugar) levels in the blood become too high for good health. This is due either to not having enough insulin or because the insulin produced is deficient in some way. High blood sugar levels are usually accompanied by high cholesterol levels in the blood and in time, these may cause severe problems. However, diabetes can be well-controlled.

Basically, there are two forms of diabetes:

• Type 1 (Insulin Dependent Diabetes) usually occurs before 35 years of age. It usually has lots symptoms and comes to medical attention quickly. This form of diabetes makes no insulin, therefore, it is necessary to inject insulin at least once a day.
• Type 2 (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes) occurs after 40 years of age and is usually associated with being overweight and/or a family history of diabetes. Treatment does not normally require insulin injections but does require weight loss and following a specific diet (low in sugar and fat but high in unrefined carbohydrates which will help the insulin in the body to work efficiently). Sometimes weight loss is not enough and tablets are required to help the person's insulin work better.