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Diabetes Overview

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What is Diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. High blood glucose can cause health problems over time. The main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational.

Diabetes monitor, fruit, and clipboard

Symptoms & Causes

Increased thirst and urination, feeling tired, unexplained weight loss, and blurred vision are symptoms of diabetes. Many people have no symptoms and don’t know they have diabetes. Each type of diabetes has different causes.

Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you have a family history of diabetes, are overweight or have obesity, or are 35 or older. Physical inactivity, race, ethnicity, and certain health problems also affect your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. A history of gestational diabetes is a risk factor for the parent and the child.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by losing weight if you are overweight, being active for 30 minutes most days of the week, and following a reduced-calorie eating plan. Some people also take the diabetes drug metformin to help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Tests & Diagnosis

Doctors use a variety of tests to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes. Your doctor may recommend different tests depending on whether you have symptoms or not, or whether you are pregnant.

Managing Diabetes

Managing your diabetes means managing your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and quitting smoking if you smoke. A healthy diet and physical activity are important too. Work with your health care team to create a diabetes care plan that works for you.

Insulin, Medicines, & Other Diabetes Treatments

Following your diabetes treatment plan may include taking diabetes pills, insulin, or other shots, as well as medicines for related health problems. Some types of surgery—such as weight-loss surgery, also called metabolic and bariatric surgery—may be options for certain people with diabetes.

Diabetes Diet, Eating, & Physical Activity

Your diabetes meal plan helps you manage your blood glucose. Moderate physical activity most days of the week also helps control blood glucose. Talk with your health care team about a plan for eating and physical activity that is right for you.

Preventing Diabetes Problems

Diabetes can affect almost every part of your body. Managing your blood glucose can help prevent many other health problems that can occur when you have the disease. Common diabetes problems include

Other Types of Diabetes

Learn more about less-common types of diabetes.

Pregnancy & Diabetes

If you have diabetes and plan to get pregnant, or develop diabetes during pregnancy, you can take steps to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

Diabetes & Tobacco

Smoking and tobacco products can make diabetes problems worse, especially heart disease and foot problems.

If you smoke, stop. Ask for help so you don’t have to do it alone. Quitting smoking will improve your health.

Clinical Trials

The NIDDK and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support and conduct research into many diseases and conditions.

Learn about clinical trials for diabetes.

Last Reviewed November 2016

This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.