What causes diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease indicated by high levels of glucose (also known as blood sugar) in your blood.

• Blood glucose is your primary source of energy, and it comes from the foods you eat.
• Your body produces insulin to help the glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy.
• If your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the insulin doesn’t work the way it should, glucose can stay in your blood and never reach the cells.
• If blood glucose levels stay too high for an extended period of time, this can cause diabetes.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes:

• Being overweight
• Having a family history of the diseaseƒ
• Diabetes during pregnancy

Signs and symptoms of diabetes:

• Increased thirst and/or hungerƒ
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Slow-healing sores
• Pins and needles or loss of feeling in the feetƒ
• Blurry eyesight

Some people with diabetes don’t have any symptoms, so it’s important to see your doctor for regular bloodwork.

What can you do to prevent, delay or manage diabetes:

• Work with a health-care professionalƒ Maintain an appropriate weight
• Eat healthy
• Stay active

 Learn more at www.cdc.gov/diabetes or speak to your doctor.