What is Diabetes?

Diabetes begins in the pancreas, an organ in your body like your heart. Special cells in the pancreas, beta cells, make a substance called insulin ("in-SUH-lin"). Insulin helps feed your cells. Your body is made up of millions of tiny cells. To keep you healthy, these cells need to be fed. The food the cells eat is called glucose ("GLOO-kose"), or sugar. When you eat an apple, for example, your body turns the apple into glucose and sends that glucose into your blood. The glucose travels through your blood to your cells. The cells can't eat the glucose all by themselves. They need help. Insulin helps the cells eat the sugar. People with diabetes have a problem with insulin, so the cells don't get the glucose they need.

There are several types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is what kids and young adults most often have. Older adults mostly have type 2 diabetes. But some adults have type 1 diabetes and more and more kids and teens are developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes
Find out what type 1 diabetes means.

Type 2 Diabetes
Learn the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Educator Lou
Join Lou on an adventure as he takes you on a tour of the basics of diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms
Find out what the most common diabetes symptoms are.

Complications
Learn about the complications that can be linked to diabetes.

Why do I have diabetes?
No one really knows why some people have diabetes. The most important thing to remember is that it's not your fault you have diabetes.

Cure
Researchers work around the clock to prevent and cure diabetes.