Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. 

If left untreated, diabetes can cause many complications. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced.

There are three main types of diabetes mellitus:

  • Type 1 Diabetes results from the pancreas’ failure to produce enough insulin due to loss of beta cells.
  • Type 2 Diabetes begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly. As the disease progresses, a lack of insulin may also develop. The most common cause is a combination of excessive body weight and insufficient exercise.
  • Gestational Diabetes is the third main form, and occurs when pregnant women without a previous history of diabetes develop high blood sugar levels.