What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that causes high levels of sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream over a prolonged period of time. Glucose enters the body from foods we eat.

The pancreas is the organ responsible for regulating blood sugar. The organ produces hormones called insulin and glucagon. Insulin helps the blood glucose to enter your cells for energy while glucagon raises blood glucose levels when needed. When the pancreas becomes compromised by an immune system attack, the insulin producing islet cells slowly die, causing diabetes.

There is no cure for the disease at this time, only treatments, but there are promising studies going on right now that can possibly cure the condition on the horizon. You can check out a list of diabetes symptoms as well as type 1 and type 2 diabetes treatments and management information.

There are blood tests that can reveal if you have diabetes. Your doctor might prescribe a glucose tolerance test or an A1C aka Glycohemoglobin, HbA1C, Hemoglobin A1C test.

I’ll be posting about dangerous conditions like hypoglycemia as well as exciting new research studies, so keep an eye out!