Diabetes is a disease in which your body that causes blood sugar levels to rise higher than normal (also called hyperglycemia).
When you eat, your body breaks food down into sugar and sends it into the blood. Insulin then helps move the sugar from the blood into your cells. Cells use sugar either as fuel for energy right away or stored for later use.
In a person with diabetes, there is a problem with insulin. But, not everyone with diabetes has the same problem.
There are different types of diabetes –
Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and a condition called gestational diabetes. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin, can’t use insulin or doesn’t make insulin at all.
Diabetes may be treated with insulin, oral medications, exercise, and meal planning. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to several complications, such as nerve damage, kidney or eye problems, heart disease, and stroke. But, if managed well, you can live a long, healthy life with diabetes.
For more information: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHlWM8_iqfA
