What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a long-term condition in which blood sugar levels are too high, because the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It helps glucose, a sugar from food, move from the blood into cells, where it is used for energy. When there is not enough insulin or the body resists it, glucose builds up in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and nerves.
Common symptoms include feeling very thirsty, urinating often, tiredness, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds and unexplained weight loss. Many people with type 2 diabetes have mild symptoms or none at first, so blood tests are important for diagnosis.
A growing condition
Hundreds of millions of adults worldwide live with diabetes, and the number has risen sharply in recent decades. Healthy eating, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Treatments include lifestyle changes, tablets, newer injectable medicines and insulin.
Did You Know?
Insulin was discovered in 1921 by Frederick Banting and Charles Best in Toronto. Before then, type 1 diabetes was usually fatal.
This answer is general information, not medical advice. For a personal health question, talk to a doctor.