Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. Your body breaks down most the food you eat into sugar (glucose). It is then released it into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin lets the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy.

With diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should. Too much blood sugar can stay in your bloodstream when there isn’t enough insulin or cells stop responding to it. That can lead to serious health problems over time.

The three main types of diabetes are:

  • Type 1
  • Type 2
  • Gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)

Learn more about diabetes, the signs and symptoms, and how to manage or prevent it. 

Source: CDC