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Learn About Diabetes

 
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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.
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If you are at risk for diabetes, or if diabetes runs in your family, talk to a doctor about ways to stay healthy.

  • What should I eat and how active should I be to stay healthy?
  • If I’m overweight, how many pounds do I have to lose to improve my health?
  • What are my blood pressure numbers and cholesterol levels? What should they be?
  • Do I have pre-diabetes or another condition that increases my risk of diabetes?
  • Are there any warning signs or symptoms I should look out for?

Find additional resources from healthfinder.gov.

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