Diabetes Resources

High blood sugar (diabetes) affects more than 40 million U.S. adults.

When left untreated, diabetes can be a life threatening disease. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it's important to work with your care team to start managing your health.

Diabetes is a chronic, long-lasting health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Normally, your body breaks down food into sugar and releases it into your bloodstream, where that sugar is used for everything you do—like walking, talking, thinking, and moving your muscles. With diabetes, however, the amount of sugar in your blood becomes too high. This is harmful because excess sugar in the bloodstream damages blood vessels and nerves over time, leading to serious complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, nerve problems (especially in the feet), and vision loss.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes results from damage to the pancreas's insulin-producing beta cells, leading to little or no insulin production. Without insulin, sugar can't enter cells for energy, causing blood sugar levels to rise. People with Type 1 diabetes MUST use insulin injections to manage their blood sugar. While most common in those under 20, it can develop at any age.

How can I manage Type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is managed by keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range every day. This includes taking insulin (by injections or an insulin pump), checking blood sugar regularly with a meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and balancing insulin with food, activity, and stress.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes happens when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin the right way. This also causes sugar to build up in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults, especially those who are overweight. It is often managed with healthy eating, exercise, and weight control. Some people may also need medicine or insulin.

How can I manage Type 2 diabetes?

Managing type 2 diabetes involves working closely with your care team while making healthy lifestyle changes. Choosing balanced foods, staying physically active, and regularly monitoring your blood sugar all help keep levels in a healthy range. Many people also need medication, which may include oral medicines, non-insulin injectable medications, or insulin, depending on their individual needs.

What causes Diabetes?

Diabetes can develop from a mix of genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits. Family history, social drivers of health like access to food and care, and levels of physical activity and diet all play a role—especially in type 2 diabetes.

You are at risk for diabetes if you:

Are Overweight or obese.
Are 45 or older.
Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
Are physically active less than 3 times a week.
Have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Have ever had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or given birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds.
Are an African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native person

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