What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.^[2] This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria(frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).

Ways To Control Diabetes:

Diabetes is serious.

You may have heard people say they have “a touch of diabetes” or that their “sugar is a little high.” These words suggest that diabetes is not a serious disease. That is not correct. Diabetes is serious, but you can learn to manage it!

It’s not easy, but it’s worth it!

All people with diabetes need to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, and move more every day.

Taking good care of yourself and your diabetes can help you feel better. It may help you avoid health problems caused by diabetes such as:

• heart attack and stroke
• eye problems that can lead to trouble seeing or going blind
• nerve damage that can cause your hands and feet to hurt, tingle, or feel numb. Some people may even lose a foot or a leg.
• kidney problems that can cause your kidneys to stop working
• gum disease and loss of teeth