Diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body processes food to convert it to energy. When you eat food, your body converts it to glucose, a type of sugar. Your Pancreas creates insulin, a hormone that transports glucose to cells in your body. If you have diabetes, your body has problems making or using insulin, causing sugar to build up in your blood.
There are two “types” of diabetes:
Type One Diabetes occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin, and affects approximately 5-10% of diabetics. Most people with type one diabetes develop it in their childhood or adolescence, and must take insulin injections as a part of their daily routine to manage blood sugar levels.
Type Two Diabetes is much more common than type one, and is typically developed later in life. Your body produces insulin, but not enough to completely regulate your blood sugar levels. For type two diabetes, treatment is usually managed with lifestyle changes and medication.