There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational. Effectively managing the condition is critical to help minimize the risks of future complications. Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body cannot properly convert food into energy. It is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. The condition often leads to problems such as:  Blindness Heart and blood vessel disease Stroke Kidney failure Amputations Nerve damage. Uncontrolled diabetes can complicate pregnancy, and birth defects are more common in babies born to women who have it. In order to understand this condition, it is helpful to first understand normal digestion and the role of insulin. Understanding Digestion and Insulin Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body. After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. For glucose to get into the cells, insulin must be present. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach. When we eat, the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from the blood into our cells. People with diabetes do not make insulin, do not use insulin properly, or both. This causes glucose to build up in the blood instead of moving into the cells. As a result, people with the condition often feel:  Tired Hungry Thirsty. They may also lose weight, urinate often, or have trouble with their eyes. Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in:  Children Teenagers Young adults. In this type of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body’s immune system has attacked and destroyed them.Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes, is the most common type. People can develop type 2 at any age — even during childhood. This form of the condition usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use insulin properly. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals.

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