A person with diabetes has a chronic disease in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar properly. As a result, blood sugar levels become abnormally high.

Blood sugar, or glucose, is an important source of energy for all cells in the body. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. Insulin regulates the level of glucose in the blood stream.

The two main causes of diabetes include:

• The pancreas does not produce enough insulin
• The cells of the body do not respond to insulin

There are three types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes