Diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Normal blood glucose levels range from 4.0 to 7.0 prior to eating. Glucose is made through the consumption of bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, milk, and fruit.
If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can result in a variety of complications including:
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Eye disease
- Nerve damage
To help control the amount of glucose in the body, a hormone called insulin is produced. Insulin is created by the pancreas and it helps transport the glucose to blood cells to be used for energy. Sometimes, the body does not make enough insulin or does not use insulin well, which results in glucose staying in the blood and not reaching the cells. This high blood glucose content in the blood will most likely lead to diabetes.
Read our Diabetes Handout for more information.