Diabetes in a nutshell

According to the American Diabetes Association, over 18 million people in the United States have diabetes. However, more than five million people are unaware that they have diabetes. The good news is that with the proper education, diabetes can be treated effectively and even prevented.

In a nutshell, diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce insulin or does not produce enough insulin. Furthermore, the body does not use the produced or injected insulin efficiently. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and the main function is to move sugar out of the blood into body cells. All foods are turned into sugar in the digestion process. The sugar moves into the blood where insulin moves the sugar into body cells. Diabetes is a genetic disorder in most people who have diabetes.

Follow the links below to learn more about diabetes.

Over 18 million people in the United States have diabetes.

Types of diabetes

How diabetes is diagnosed

Causes, risk factors, and symptoms of diabetes

Diabetes complications

Target blood sugar ranges

The usual lab tests for diabetes

Medications

Nutrition

Exercise

Physical therapy

Prevention

Diabetes management