Diabetes is a disease that occurs when a persons body doesnt make enough of the hormone insulin or cant use

insulin properly. There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your bodys pancreas doesnt produce any insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas either doesnt produce enough insulin or your bodys cells ignore the insulin.

Type 1 diabetes is also called insulindependent diabetes. It is sometimes called juvenile diabetes because it is usually discovered in children and teenagers, but adults may also have it.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesnt produce enough insulin or the bodys cells ignore the insulin.

People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. They might have SOME or NONE of the following symptoms: Frequent urination Excessive thirst Unexplained weight loss Extreme hunger Sudden vision changes Feeling very tired much of the time Very dry skin

Couple Walking Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity.

Woman holding basket making food choices Healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin injections are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose testing. Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic therapies for type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy makes it hard for your nerves to send messages to the brain and other parts of the body. If you have nerve damage, you may lose feeling in parts of your body or have a painful, tingling or burning feeling.

Neuropathy most often affects the feet and legs. If have neuropathy, you may not be able to feel a sore on your foot. The sore can become infected and, in serious cases, the foot may have to be amputated (removed). People who have neuropathy may continue walking on a foot that has damaged joints or bones.

The retina is the part of the eye that is sensitive to light and sends messages to your brain about what you see. Diabetes can damage and weaken the small blood vessels in the retina. This damage is called diabetic retinopathy.

Yes, you can live a normal life. You can stay healthy if you do what it takes to control your diabetes.