The Basics
Diabetes is a disease. When you have diabetes, there is too much sugar or glucose in your blood.
How Does Diabetes Work?
The food you eat is turned into glucose. Glucose is the main source of energy for your body. Glucose is carried to other parts of the body through your blood.
When you have diabetes, your body has trouble turning glucose into energy. Instead of being used by your body, the glucose builds up in your blood. The rest of your body is starved of energy.
Diabetes can be Serious
Over time, diabetes can cause problems with your:
- Heart
- Eyes
- Feet
- Kidneys
- Nerves
- Other parts of your body such as teeth and hands
Learn more about the effects of diabetes on your body with this interactive tool.
Diabetes cannot be cured. But it can be controlled or prevented with diet, exercise, and medicine.
What are the Signs of Diabetes?
Many people with diabetes do not know they have the disease. Some signs of diabetes include:
- Being very thirsty
- Feeling tired for no reason
- Urinating (going to the bathroom) more than usual
- Unexplained weight loss
- Sores that do not get better
- Blurred vision
- Feeling "pins and needles" in your feet
If you have any of these signs, go to the doctor for a diabetes test. Not everyone with diabetes will experience these symptoms.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
When people talk about diabetes, they are usually talking about type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is most common in adults over age 40. Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
When you have type 2 diabetes, your body has trouble using the glucose in your blood. Your blood sugar level is too high.
What is Pre-Diabetes?
Pre-diabetes means your blood glucose level is higher than normal. If you have pre-diabetes, you are at risk for getting type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
My Risk
You may be at risk for diabetes if you:
- Are overweight
- Exercise less than 3 times a week
- Are over 40 years old
- Have high blood pressure or cholesterol
- Are African American, Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American or Pacific Islander
- Or if you have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
Take Action
You can do a lot to prevent diabetes.
Watch Your Weight
Studies have shown that losing just 7% of your body weight can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. For a person who weighs 200 pounds, 7% of their body weight is 14 pounds.
Eat Healthy
Eating healthy foods can help you control your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol and prevent type 2 diabetes.
Get Active
Being physically active every day can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.