What Is Diabetes?

What Is Diabetes? - Diabetes is a condition in which your body has trouble using a sugar called glucose for energy. As a result, the sugar level in your blood becomes too high. Diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) condition. Left untreated, it can result in major health problems (complications).

What Is Diabetes?

Signs of Diabetes

Do any of the following questions apply to you? If so, see your healthcare provider.

• Do you feel tired all the time?
• Do you urinate often?
• Do you feel thirsty or hungry all the time?
• Are you losing weight for no reason?
• Do cuts and bruises heal slowly?
• Do you have numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes?

What Puts You At Risk?

People of all backgrounds can get diabetes. More often, though, it affects African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. Other factors that increase risk include:

• A family history of diabetes.
• Being overweight.
• Being over age 40.
• Having had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
• Not enough physical activity.

Why Worry About Diabetes?

• Diabetes keeps your body from turning food into energy.
• Diabetes can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and feet. It can also hurt your heart and blood vessels.
• Once you get diabetes, it won’t go away.