Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your body attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose, or sugar, get from your blood into your cells. Without insulin, your blood sugar levels can get too high. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It occurs when your body does not make enough insulin or does not use insulin well. This can also cause your blood sugar levels to get too high.
There are many risk factors for diabetes, including obesity, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, and certain ethnicities. However, there are also many things you can do to help prevent diabetes, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. If you are at risk for diabetes, your doctor may recommend that you take medication to help prevent the disease.
