Diabetes is often described as a silent condition because many people live with it for years without knowing. At its root is a problem with the way the body handles glucose, the sugar that fuels our cells.
Normally, insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, helps move glucose from the blood into the body’s tissues for energy. When insulin is lacking or the body resists its effects, blood sugar builds up. Over time, the excess sugar damages blood vessels and vital organs such as the eyes, kidneys, heart and nerves.