What is Diabetes?

• Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not make or properly use insulin.

 
• Insulin is a hormone that is needed by the body to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy by moving glucose from the blood into the cells.

 
• Diabetes is diagnosed when blood sugar levels are abnormally high.

 
• People with diabetes have increased blood glucose levels for one or more of the following three reasons: no insulin is being produced, insulin production is insufficient, and/or the body is resistant to the effects of insulin.

 

Blood Sugar Levels