All things Diabetes

 Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health condition that occurs when the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood becomes too high. Glucose is an important source of energy for your body and comes partly from the foods you eat. 

 When you eat, your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which enters your bloodstream. Your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which helps move glucose from your blood into your cells, where it can be used for energy.

With diabetes, the body may not produce enough insulin, may not produce insulin at all, or may not use insulin effectively. When this happens, glucose can remain in the bloodstream and blood sugar levels can become too high.

 Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin to manage their blood glucose and survive. Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age. 

 Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin effectively and may eventually be unable to produce enough insulin to keep blood glucose within a healthy range. Management may include healthy lifestyle changes, medications, and/or insulin depending on individual needs. 

 Prediabetes means blood glucose levels are higher than normal but have not reached the level used to diagnose type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. 

 Over time, persistently high blood sugar can damage different parts of the body. Diabetes can contribute to health problems involving the heart, kidneys, nerves, eyes, and feet. Managing blood glucose and other health factors can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

The good news is that diabetes can be managed. Understanding your condition, following your prescribed treatment plan, monitoring your health as recommended, and working with your healthcare team are important parts of living well with diabetes.