What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when the level of glucose, or blood sugar, in your blood is too high. Your body turns food into glucose for energy. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose move from your bloodstream into your cells. When your body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it well, glucose builds up in your blood.
Diabetes by the Numbers
- More than 40 million Americans have diabetes.
- More than 1 in 4 adults with diabetes don’t know they have it.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1
About 5–10% of diagnosed U.S. cases. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the cells that make insulin. It can develop at any age but most often starts in childhood or young adulthood. People with type 1 need insulin every day.
Type 2
About 90–95% of diagnosed U.S. cases. The body doesn’t use insulin well and may not make enough. It is the most common type and can develop in children or adults.
Gestational
Develops during pregnancy in someone who did not already have diabetes. It usually goes away after delivery but increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later.
What Is Prediabetes?
Blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, and staying physically active can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Who Is at Risk?
Risk factors differ by type. A family history of type 1 increases your risk for type 1. Risk factors for type 2 include:
- A parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Being middle-aged or older
- Overweight or obesity
- Limited physical activity
- Prediabetes or a history of gestational diabetes
Type 2 is also more common among African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, and some Asian American and Pacific Islander populations.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Feeling unusually thirsty or hungry
- Urinating more often
- Feeling very tired
- Blurry vision
- Losing weight without trying
- Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Symptoms vary by type, and some people have no symptoms. Talk with your health care provider about symptoms or risk factors and whether you should be tested.
How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?
Diabetes is diagnosed with blood tests, including an A1C test, which measures your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months.
Living Well with Diabetes
How Is Diabetes Treated?
Diabetes treatment may include healthy eating, physical activity, regular blood sugar monitoring, and medications. The right combination depends on your needs and care plan. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin every day.
Why Managing Diabetes Matters
Diabetes can increase your risk of:
- Heart disease and stroke
- Kidney disease and nerve damage, which may cause pain, tingling, or numbness
- Vision loss and gum disease
- Skin infections and slow-healing wounds
Follow your care plan and work with your health care team to manage your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Keeping these numbers within recommended ranges can help lower your risk of diabetes-related complications.
The ABCs of Diabetes
A — A1C: Your Blood Sugar Over Time
This blood test shows your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months. It helps you and your health care team see how your diabetes care plan is working. For many adults with diabetes, the goal is below 7%, but your goal may be different.
Common Blood Sugar Targets (for many nonpregnant adults with diabetes):
- Before meals: 80–130 mg/dL
- About 2 hours after starting a meal: Below 180 mg/dL
Your targets may differ. Ask your health care team what is right for you.
B — Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your blood vessel walls. When it stays too high, it can put you at risk of stroke, heart disease and kidney damage. Work with your provider to set a blood pressure goal that is right for you.
C — Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your body. It helps your body perform important functions. Too much cholesterol can build up in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Ask your health care team what your cholesterol goals should be.
S — Stop Smoking
Protect your heart and blood vessels. Ask your care team for help quitting.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
- When your body does not have enough insulin to use sugar for energy, it starts breaking down fat instead. This process makes chemicals called ketones.
- If too many ketones build up, they can make your blood too acidic. This dangerous condition is called diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA.
- Symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, deep or fast breathing, fruity-smelling breath, and unusual tiredness.
- DKA is a medical emergency. Get emergency care right away.
For Both Type 1 and Type 2
Eat Well
- Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Work with a registered dietitian on a plan that fits your needs and includes foods you enjoy.
Move More
- Try walking, swimming, dancing, or chair exercises.
- Start with what you can do.
- Ask your care team which activities are right for you.
Mental Health Matters
Feeling stressed, sad, or angry? Ask your care team or a mental health professional for support.
Make Time for Preventive Care
- Dental care: Brush and floss daily, and keep regular dental checkups to help prevent gum disease.
- Eye exams: Get a dilated eye exam as recommended—even if your vision seems fine.
- Foot care: Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling. Report changes promptly and ask your provider about regular foot exams.
Stay Connected to Your Care Team
Keep regular appointments, monitor blood sugar as directed, and take medications as prescribed. If medication costs, side effects, or daily challenges make your plan difficult, let your care team know.
Know your numbers—and your goals. Ask your health care team what your targets should be and how often to get checked.
For more information: American Diabetes Association
Flu Season: Protect Yourself and Those Around You
Benefits of Getting a Flu Shot
- Lowers your chance of getting the flu.
- Can make illness less severe if you do get sick.
- Reduces the risk of flu-related hospitalization and serious complications.
How Does the Flu Shot Work?
The flu shot helps your immune system build antibodies that protect against the flu viruses targeted by the vaccine. It takes about 2 weeks after vaccination for this protection to develop.
Who Is at Higher Risk for Serious Flu Complications?
- Adults 65 and older
- Children younger than 5, especially those under 2
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or kidney disease
- People with weakened immune systems
Flu can cause pneumonia and make existing health conditions worse.
Who Should Get Vaccinated—and When?
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year, with rare exceptions.
September and October are ideal for most people. Haven’t gotten yours yet? Vaccination can still help while flu viruses are circulating.
If you are 65 or older, ask your provider or pharmacist which flu vaccine is recommended for your age.
Common Questions
Can the flu shot give me the flu?
No. Flu shots cannot cause the flu. A sore arm, mild fever, or muscle aches may occur and usually go away within a few days.
Why do I need it every year?
Protection decreases over time, and vaccines are updated to match the flu viruses expected to circulate.
Talk with Your Provider Before Vaccination
Tell your provider if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine or one of its ingredients. Your provider can help determine which vaccine is appropriate for you.
Have an egg allergy? You may receive any flu vaccine that is otherwise appropriate for your age and health. Tell the person giving the vaccine about all allergies and any previous serious vaccine reactions.
Where Can I Get a Flu Shot?
Check with your health care provider, local pharmacy, health department, or workplace vaccination clinic.
Help Prevent the Spread
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
- If you are sick, stay home and away from others. Rest and drink fluids.
Have diabetes? Make a sick-day plan with your care team for checking blood sugar, taking medications, drinking fluids, and knowing when to call for help.