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What Is Diabetes?

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Simple Answer

Diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus, is a disease where the blood sugar level is too high. This happens because insulin does not work well, the body does not make enough insulin, or both. Insulin is a hormone that helps sugar move from the blood into the body’s cells for energy. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to serious health problems, but there are ways to manage it.

What It Means

Diabetes matters because sugar can build up in the blood instead of getting into the cells where the body uses it for energy. The source says high blood sugar over time can affect the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, gums, and teeth. There are different types of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

When to Contact a Doctor

Talk to a doctor if you have questions about diabetes, your blood sugar, or how to manage it. If you have type 1 diabetes, ask your health care provider how and how often you should check your blood glucose.

Get Urgent Help If…

Type 1 diabetes can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, if blood sugar gets very high. DKA is a life-threatening emergency. Get urgent help right away if a doctor has told you to watch for DKA or if you are worried your blood sugar is very high.

Blood tests can measure blood glucose. The source also notes that reference ranges and what counts as normal can vary by person and lab.

Sources

This information is based on these free U.S. government medical sources:

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This service provides general medical information and education. It does not diagnose medical conditions or replace care from a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. If you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.