Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that results in high blood sugar levels. It occurs when you either don’t have enough insulin or when your body doesn’t respond well enough to insulin. Insulin is a protein that is produced by the pancreas and is vital to balancing blood sugar.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to destroy the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, cells don’t respond normally to insulin.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to develop more quickly than type 2, which often develops over the course of years. Some symptoms of diabetes include:

  • Frequent urination
  • Being excessively hungry
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
  • Weight loss
  • Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and/or feet

Managing Diabetes

The best way to manage diabetes depends on variables that include the type of diabetes you have and your age. Ask your health professional about how to prevent, diagnose, and manage diabetes.

More Information About Diabetes

Learn more about diabetes at the American Diabetes Association.