What is Diabetes?

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease where a person's glucose or blood sugar is too high. Glucose comes from the food you eat and is made in your liver and muscles. An organ called the pancreas releases insulin which helps glucose from the food you eat get into your cells to use as energy. In a person with diabetes, the pancreas does not make any or enough insulin or the cells cannot use the insulin so glucose builds in your blood. Too much glucose is not good for you and can damage your body. There are different types of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (also known as insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes) happens when a person's pancreas does not make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to get insulin from a shot or pump to help control their glucose from getting too high.

Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes (or adult onset diabetes), insulin is made by the pancreas but the cells can't use it properly.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs in women who are pregnant but who did not have diabetes before pregnancy. It usually goes away after delivery but it can increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes later.

What Should You Know?

Diabetes is a disease that does not go away after you have it but it can be PREVENTED and CONTROLLED! If it isn't controlled, diabetes can cause damage to your body and possibly cause blindness, kidney failure, loss of legs or feet, damage to your teeth or heart attacks.

How Can You Keep Yourself Healthy?

Eat healthy foods, get exercise every day, stay at a healthy weight and if you already have diabetes make sure you take your medicine and check your blood glucose levels.