What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism the way our bodies use digested food for growth and energy. Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body. Diabetes causes glucose to back up in the bloodstream. As more and more glucose remains in the bloodstream blood glucose or blood sugar levels can rise too high. There are two major types of diabetes. Consider the following information as it relates to both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes (also called juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes), the body completely stops producing any insulin. Insulin is a hormone that enables the body to use glucose to produce energy. Sufferers of type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections in order to survive. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children or young adults; however, it can occur at any age. Type 2 diabetes (also called adult-onset diabetes or non insulin-dependent diabetes) results when the body doesn