Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood.

Glucose comes from the food you eat. It's a source of energy for your body. But your body needs to process it the right way, using insulin, a chemical made in the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose pass from your blood into your cells.

If you are diabetic, either your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your cells don't respond to insulin. So, glucose builds up in your blood and goes unused. Your body may not receive the energy it needs.

There are 3 main types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 diabetes - Develops mostly in children and young adults
  • Type 2 diabetes - The most common type; it mostly affects people who are overweight
  • Gestational diabetes - Develops in pregnant women and usually goes away after the baby is born, although it may increase the risk of future Type 2 diabetes

Insulin Pump

An insulin pump is an electronic device that’s used to help you manage your diabetes. Watch to learn more about how they work from Sonya Jeffries, NP.