Diabetes: A Silent Killer
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar (also called glucose) and released into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts like a key to letting the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes as well as it should. There isn’t a cure yet for diabetes, but losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active can really help. Taking medicine as needed, and keeping health care appointments can also reduce the impact of diabetes on your life. Types of Diabetes There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes (diabetes while pregnant). Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake) that stops your b