Based on the underlying cause Diabetes can be of many types. Namely

1. TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS: here the etiology of the disease is not exactly known. The body is known to mount an auto- immune response directed against pancreatic cells and is thus known to destroy them. This results in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This variety commonly presents in young individuals, so it is also called JUVENILE DIABETES.

2. TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: this variety is also called adult onset diabetes mellitus. In these patients the tissues of the body develop resistance to the actions of insulin(i.e. they fail to respond).the insulin levels of such patients are within normal limits.
3. DIABETES MELLITUS CAUSED BY DRUGS.
4. GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS: These patients develop DIABETES MELLITUS during pregnancy.
5. IMPAIRED GLUCOSE TOLERANCE: Borderline diabetes.

Read The Complete DIABETES MELLITUS Series:

1. WHAT IS DIABETES MELLITUS?
2. WHAT IS INSULIN?
3. WHY IS INSULIN IMPORTANT?
4. IS DIABETES MELLITUS A COMMON DISEASE? WHY SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT IT?
5. ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIABETES MELLITUS?
6. WHO IS A VICTIM OF DIABETES MELLITUS?
7. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES MELLITUS?
8. WHAT ARE THE DIAGNOSTIC MODALITIES AVAILABLE FOR DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES MELLITUS?
9.  WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS ARE NOT UNDER CONTROL?
10. HOW CAN I KEEP MY BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS UNDER CONTROL AND PREVENT COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES MELLITUS?