Diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs when the body cannot properly control the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
Glucose is the main source of energy for the body and comes from the food we eat. To move glucose from the blood into the body’s cells, the body uses a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas.
When someone has diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. As a result, sugar builds up in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels.