What are the different types of diabetes and what are the differences in age of onset, probable causes, symptoms, and treatments? 

Diabetes is generally classified as either Diabetes
Mellitus Type 1 or Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.

Diabetes
Mellitus Type 1 is caused due to the body's immune system destroying the insulin
producing cells located in the pancreas. This was the major cause of diabetes in young
people in the past and was known as Juvenile diabetes, though now a majority of people
getting affected by this form of diabetes are adults.

As
the body is no longer able to produce insulin, patients with this ailment have to inject
artificial insulin to manage the proper utilization of the carbohydrates that they
consume. This form of diabetes is not hereditary in nature and the exact cause of the
illness has not been understood yet.

Diabetes Mellitus Type
2 is caused due to the pancreas producing a lesser amount of insulin than what is
required by the body or the cells of the body unable to utilize the insulin in an
effective manner. Type 2 diabetes in the past was only acquired by people late in their
lives. The ailment has a strong hereditary link, but the present epidemic of Type 2
diabetes that has made over 90% of people in the US acquire it, is due to unhealthy food
consumption, overweight, a lack of activity and other lifestyle
factors.

Type 2 diabetes is treatable and can also be
controlled by taking oral medication which makes the pancreas produce more insulin and
allow the body to effectively utilize the insulin
produced.

The symptoms of both forms of diabetes when
uncontrolled start with excessive urination, thirst, excessive liquid and solid
consumption, chronic tiredness, weight loss, etc. The glucose levels of patients with
diabetes are very high and if they remain so for a prolonged time it can result in
multiple organ failure and finally in diabetic coma.