What is diabetes? | CDC
www.cdc.gov › diabetes › basicsApr 11, 2023 · Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Your body breaks down most of the food you eat into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin.
Diabetes - Harvard Health
www.health.harvard.edu › topics › diabetesDiabetes (known formally as diabetes mellitus) is a chronic illness affecting more than 37 million Americans—about one out of every 10 people. Its primary feature is high blood sugar levels, also called blood glucose levels. But what is glucose, and how is having too much of it in your bloodstream harmful?
Diabetes - WHO
www.who.int › news-room › fact-sheetsApr 5, 2023 · Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. Between 2000 and 2019, there was a 3% increase in diabetes mortality rates by age. In 2019, diabetes and kidney disease due to diabetes caused an estimated 2 million deaths.