The Centers for Disease Control has made this infographic on the impact of diabetes and prediabetes in our culture and health.

Diabetes is a disease in which the blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods a person eats. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into the cells to give them energy. With type 1 diabetes, the body does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the more common type, the body does not make or use insulin well.

Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in the blood.

A person can also have prediabetes. This means that the blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Having prediabetes puts a person at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Over time, having too much glucose in the blood can cause serious problems. It can damage eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke and even the need to remove a limb. Pregnant women can also get diabetes, called gestational diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make or use insulin well. This diagram describes how insulin collects glucose so that it can be absorbed by cells.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Blood tests can show blood glucose levels to help doctors determine if a patient has diabetes. One type of test, the A1C, can also check on how the individual is managing the disease. Exercise, weight control and sticking to a healthy meal plan can help individuals control diabetes. People with diabetes should also monitor their blood glucose levels and take medicine if prescribed.