Understanding Diabetes

This is a set of tests we use to find out if you have diabetes, or to find out if you are developing the disease. We may screen you if you have certain risk factors. We may screen you if you have symptoms of the disease. Let's see what screening is about.

If you have prediabetes, you can take immediate steps to keep it from getting worse. You may be able to reverse it completely. If you don't, you could develop type 2 diabetes. Improving your health will reduce your risk for diabetes and its severe complications.

This disease makes it hard for your body to use blood glucose (also called "blood sugar"). That's what your cells use for energy. With diabetes, blood glucose builds up in your bloodstream. This leads to serious health problems.

If your child has type 1 diabetes, you're a key part of their care. It's an important job. You need to know about things like glucose, insulin and healthy diets. At first, this feels overwhelming. But don't worry. You'll quickly become an expert.

This is the most common form of diabetes. With it, your body has trouble making and using insulin. That's the hormone that helps glucose enter your cells to produce energy.

Type 2 diabetes requires careful management. If you've been recently diagnosed, you will most likely need to make some lifestyle changes. A more active and healthy lifestyle can help you avoid the serious complications linked to diabetes.