Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It involves problems with insulin, a hormone that helps sugar get into your cells to be used for energy.
Diabetes is important for health because it can lead to serious complications if not managed properly. High blood sugar levels over time can damage organs and tissues, leading to problems like heart disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage.
In the body, insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels. When you eat, your body breaks down food into sugar, which enters the bloodstream. Insulin helps move this sugar into cells where it's used for energy. In diabetes, either the body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it well, leading to high blood sugar levels.
If you experience symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained weight loss, it may be time to learn more about diabetes from a healthcare professional.