Diabetes mellitus has many forms, all of which are characterized by hypoglycemia and other metabolic disturbances. Listed on the next page are three types of diabetes mellitus and their...

Diabetes mellitus has many forms, all of which are characterized by hypoglycemia and other metabolic disturbances. Listed on the next page are three types of diabetes mellitus and their characteristics.

Type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM) is characterized by onset in youth, exogenous insulin dependency, tendency to ketoacidosis, viral etiology, autoimmune basis, and genetic predisposition.

Type 2 (noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM) is characterized by onset in adults over 40, some endogenous insulin production, obesity or normal weight, and can be treated with diet modification and oral hypoglycemic agents.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurs in individuals not previously diabetic who develop hyperglycemia during pregnancy. These women may progress to another diabetes mellitus or return to normal glucose levels postpartum.