1. DIABETESDiabetes is usually a lifelong (chronic) disease in whichthere are high levels of sugar in the blood.

2. CAUSES, INCIDENCE, AND RISK FACTORS Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. Diabetescan be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both. To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process bywhich food is broken down and used by the body for energy. Several thingshappen when food is digested: A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel forthe body. An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to moveglucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can beused as fuel. People with diabetes have high blood sugar because their body cannot movesugar into fat, liver, and muscle cells to be stored for energy. This is becauseeither: Their pancreas does not make enough insulin Their cells do not respond to insulin normally Both of the above 3. CAUSES, INCIDENCE, AND RISK FACTORS There are two major types of diabetes. The causes and riskfactors are different for each type: Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it is most oftendiagnosed in children, teens, or young adults. In this disease,the body makes little or no insulin. Daily injections of insulin areneeded. The exact cause is unknown. Type 2 diabetes makes up most diabetes cases. It most oftenoccurs in adulthood. However, because of high obesity rates,teens and young adults are now being diagnosed with it. Manypeople with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it. Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops at anytime during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes. 4. SYMPTOMS High blood sugar levels can cause several symptoms, including: Blurry vision Excess thirst Fatigue Hunger Urinating often Weight loss Because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar have nosymptoms. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop over a short period of time. People may be very sick bythe time they are diagnosed. After many years, diabetes can lead to other serious problems: You could have eye problems, including trouble seeing (especially at night) and light sensitivity. You could become blind. Your feet and skin can get painful sores and infections. Sometimes, your foot or leg may need to be removed. Nerves in the body can become damaged, causing pain, tingling, and a loss of feeling. Because of nerve damage, you could have problems digesting the food you eat. This can cause trouble going to the bathroom. Nerve damage can also make it harder for men to have an erection. 5. TYPE I DIABETESIn response to high levelsof glucose in the blood, theinsulin-producing cells inthe pancreas secrete thehormone insulin. Type Idiabetes occurs whenthese cells are destroyedby the bodys own immunesystem. 6. DIABETIC BLOOD CIRCULATION IN FOOT People with diabetes are at risk for blood vessel injury, which may be severe enough to cause tissue damage in the legs and feet. 7. ENDOCRINE GLANDS Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity 8. TREATMENT Early on in type 2 diabetes, you may be able to reverse thedisease with lifestyle changes. Also, some cases of type 2diabetes can be cured with weight-loss surgery. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes. Treatming both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes involvesmedicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar levels andprevent symptoms and problems. Getting better control over your blood sugar, cholesterol, andblood pressure levels helps reduce the risk of kidney disease,eye disease, nervous system disease, heart attack, and stroke. To prevent diabetes complications, visit your health careprovider at least two to four times a year. Talk about anyproblems you are having. 9. INSULIN PUMP Various styles of insulin pumps may be utilized by people with diabetes to inject insulin into the body in a controlled, more convenient and discreet manner. 10. GLUCOSE TEST A person with diabetes constantly manages their bloods sugar (glucose) levels. After a blood sample is taken and tested, it is determined whether the glucose levels are low or high. If glucose levels are too low carbohydrates are ingested. If glucose in the blood is too high, the appropriate amount of insulin is administered into the body such as through an insulin pump. 11. INSULIN PUMP The catheter at the end of the insulin pump is inserted through a needle into the abdominal fat of a person with diabetes. Dosage instructions are entered into the pumps small computer and the appropriate amount of insulin is then injected into the body in a calculated, controlled manner.