Diabetes is a health condition where the amount of glucose in your blood gets too high. If your blood glucose levels are too high for too long, you can get extremely ill.

There are many types of diabetes. The two most common are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes develops when your pancreas can’t make insulin at all. Insulin is the hormone produced by your pancreas that moves glucose from the blood to your body’s cells, where it is used as fuel for energy. Type 2 diabetes develops if your pancreas can’t make enough insulin or the insulin it makes doesn’t work properly.

Diabetes is a serious and lifelong condition that can have a life-limiting or life-threatening impact on your health if it’s not managed well. However, with proper understanding, people with diabetes live full and active lives.