About Diabetes

abtdiabetes

What is diabetes?

When you have diabetes, your body can't properly use the energy from food you eat. Normally, a hormone called insulin helps the body's cells use blood sugar for energy. Insulin is made in your pancreas and helps to keep your blood sugar in the normal range. If you have diabetes, the body either:

  • Makes little or no insulin (type 1)
  • Makes insulin, but there isn't enough or the cells can't use it correctly (type 2)

What is pre-diabetes?

People with pre-diabetes have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. This condition raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.