What is Diabetes?
Let’s start with the basics. Diabetes causes your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels to rise too high (hyperglycemia). When you eat, your body breaks food down into glucose and sends it into your blood. Insulin then helps move the glucose from your blood into your cells. When glucose enters your cells, it is either used as fuel for energy right away or stored for later use.
If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make insulin, can’t use the insulin it does make well, or both. Your blood glucose (blood sugar) will be affected in different ways depending on what type of diabetes you have.
The three most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (GDM).
Diabetes and Blood Glucose (Blood Sugar)
Managing your blood glucose (also known as blood sugar) levels is a big part of diabetes treatment plans. Over time, high blood glucose levels can lead to diabetes-related complications. Knowing what affects your blood glucose gives you the information you need to make decisions to manage it and protect your health.
