What is diabetes?
Quick Answer
Diabetes is a long-term condition in which blood sugar levels are too high because the body cannot make enough insulin or cannot use it properly.
The Full Story
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that lets cells absorb glucose from the blood for energy. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells, so people need insulin injections for life. Type 2 diabetes, which makes up about 90 percent of cases, occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin and is strongly linked to weight, inactivity and genetics. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, nerves, kidneys and eyes. More than 500 million adults worldwide live with diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"What Is Diabetes — Type 1 vs Type 2 and the Role of Insulin"