NIDDM. It is called “non-insulin dependent” because it can usually be controlled without the use of insulin injections. Until recently, this type was also referred to as maturity onset diabetes, since it occurs most often in mature adults, 40 years of age and older.

CAUSE OF DIABETES

The precise cause(s) of diabetes is unknown at this time. However, a few factors stand out: (a) for type II diabetes: heredity, overweight and age; and (b) for type I diabetes: heredity and autoimmunity.

Heredity

People who have relatives with diabetes(DM) are more likely to develop it themselves than those who have no history of diabetes in their family. The reason for this is that hereditary characteristics are passed on from one generation to the next. It is difficult, however, to determine the exact percentage of people with diabetes who also have relatives who are afflicted. If you are a parent and have diabetes, you may wonder if your children will also develop diabetes. The chances of children developing diabetes do increase, if they have parents who are afflicted, but there is no certainty that they will. If one parent has Type-I diabetes, a child has a 2-5% chance of developing DM.If a child