Your body changes the food you eat into sugar, or glucose, which then enters the bloodstream. For your body’s cells to use sugar for energy, insulin—a hormone made by the pancreas—must be present in the correct amounts.

If the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin, or the insulin isn’t working well, too much glucose (blood sugar) builds up in the bloodstream. High blood sugar levels over a long period of time cause damage to large and small blood vessels. This damage increases the risk of problems with the heart, kidneys, feet and legs. High blood sugar levels can also damage the nerves throughout the body.

Research has shown that controlling blood sugar levels helps reduce the chances of having these diabetes-related complications.

Major types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes
  The body does not produce any insulin so those with Type 1 Diabetes must inject insulin for their bodies to get energy from the foods they eat. Click for more information about Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes
  The body either does not produce enough insulin (insulin deficiency) or the body does not use the insulin effectively (insulin resistance). Many people with Type 2 diabetes have a combination of both of these problems. Click for more information about Type 2 Diabetes
• Gestational Diabetes
  Gestational diabetes only appears during pregnancy and is usually diagnosed during the 24th and 28th week. It occurs when the body cannot use glucose (sugar) properly. As a result, glucose rises to abnormally high levels. Women with gestational diabetes are predisposed to having Type 2 diabetes. Click for more information about Gestational Diabetes
• Pre-diabetes
  Blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are 54 million people in the United States who have pre-diabetes. Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during pre-diabetes. Click for more information about Pre-diabetes