What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a lifelong disease in which the body cannot process sugar properly. Diabetes is also called "diabetes mellitus" or "sugar diabetes". When people who have diabetes eat glucose, which is found in foods such as breads, potatoes and sweets, it can't be converted into energy. Instead of being converted into energy, the glucose stays in the blood. This is why people who have diabetes have blood sugar. (Glucose.) that is too high. Your blood needs to always contain sugar as available energy but too much sugar is not good for your health as it may damage your heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, teeth and gums.

There are two common types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

This is commonly diagnosed in children, teenagers and young adults. People with this type of diabetes do not produce insulin which is used by the body to lower sugar levels in blood. These patients need to take insulin injections every day.

Type 2 Diabetes

This is the most common type of diabetes. People with this type of diabetes do not make enough insulin and/or the body's cells do not respond to insulin. Therefore, they need to take tablets to help the body to make more insulin or that help insulin to do its job; or they may need to take insulin injections every day. People who are overweight and inactive have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

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