Diabetes

Summary

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood. You can also have prediabetes. This means that your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Having prediabetes puts you at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious problems. It can damage your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke and even the need to remove a limb. Pregnant women can also get diabetes, called gestational diabetes.

Blood tests can show if you have diabetes. One type of test, the A1C, can also check on how you are managing your diabetes. Exercise, weight control and sticking to your meal plan can help control your diabetes. You should also monitor your blood glucose level and take medicine if prescribed.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Genetics

• 17q12 deletion syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• 6q24-related transient neonatal diabetes mellitus: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Congenital generalized lipodystrophy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Familial partial lipodystrophy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Learn the Genetics of Diabetes American Diabetes Association
• Maternally inherited diabetes and deafness: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Maturity-onset diabetes of the young: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Monogenic Forms of Diabetes: Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus and Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Type A insulin resistance syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Wolfram syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Living With

• 21 Tips for Traveling with Diabetes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Changing Your Habits for Better Health National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Diabetes and Digestion American Heart Association
• Diabetes and DKA (Ketoacidosis) American Diabetes Association
• Diabetic Diet: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Get to Know Your Diabetes Care Team American Diabetes Association
• Managing Diabetes in the Heat Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Monitoring Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
• Take Diabetes to Heart National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Understanding Diabetes and Mental Health American Diabetes Association

Patient Handouts

• A1C test Medical Encyclopedia
• Blood sugar test Medical Encyclopedia
• Diabetes Medical Encyclopedia
• Diabetes – keeping active Medical Encyclopedia
• Diabetes – when you are sick Medical Encyclopedia
• Diabetes and exercise Medical Encyclopedia
• Diabetes myths and facts Medical Encyclopedia
• Diabetes tests and checkups Medical Encyclopedia
• Giving an insulin injection Medical Encyclopedia
• High blood sugar – self-care Medical Encyclopedia
• Low blood sugar – self-care Medical Encyclopedia

Related Issues

• A1C Test and Race/Ethnicity National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Diabetes Diet, Eating, and Physical Activity National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Is Hyperinsulinemia a Form of Diabetes? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• People with Diabetes and Hepatitis B Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Prediabetes:MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Speak Up — Diabetes: Five Ways to Be Active in Your Care at the Hospital Joint Commission
• Symptoms and Causes of Diabetes National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Vaccinations for Adults with Diabetes Immunization Action Coalition

Diagnosis and Tests

• A1C: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• At-Home Medical Tests National Library of Medicine
• Blood Glucose Test National Library of Medicine
• Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Glucagon Blood Test National Library of Medicine
• Glucose in Urine Test National Library of Medicine
• Ketones in Blood National Library of Medicine
• Ketones in Urine National Library of Medicine

Encyclopedia

• ACE blood test Medical Encyclopedia
• Anti-insulin antibody test Medical Encyclopedia
• Glucose tolerance test – non-pregnant Medical Encyclopedia
• Glucose urine test Medical Encyclopedia
• Immunizations for people with diabetes Medical Encyclopedia
• Insulin C-peptide test Medical Encyclopedia
• Ketones blood test Medical Encyclopedia
• Ketones urine test Medical Encyclopedia
• Lactic acidosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Preparing for surgery when you have diabetes Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• American Diabetes Association American Diabetes Association
• Find a Diabetes Educator Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• NIDDK Information Clearinghouses and Health Information Center National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Diabetes Mellitus National Institutes of Health

Reference Desk

• Common Terms American Diabetes Association

Women

• Diabetes Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

Older Adults

• Diabetes AGS Health in Aging Foundation
• Diabetes in Older People National Institute on Aging

Start Here

• Diabetes American Academy of Family Physicians
• Managing Diabetes National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• What is Diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Statistics and Research

• Diabetes in America, 3rd Edition National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Diabetes Interactive Atlas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• FastStats: Diabetes National Center for Health Statistics
• National Diabetes Statistics Report Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Native Americans with Diabetes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Recent Advances (in Diabetes Research) American Diabetes Association

Treatments and Therapies

• Diabetes Medicines: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Diabetes: What You Need to Know

Prevention and Risk Factors

• How to Prevent Diabetes: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine

Journal Articles

• Diabetes

Specifics

• Type 3c Diabetes Cleveland Clinic Foundation