An organ in your body called the pancreas makes insulin—a hormone that controls how much sugar is in the blood. In diabetes (said: die-uh-BEET-eez), the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the body is not able to use insulin the right way.
What you should know about diabetes:
- Diabetes is sometimes referred to as "having sugar" or "having sugar blood"
- There are 2 types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes—In this type, the pancreas does not make enough insulin. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in childhood. Is often called juvenile diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes—In this type, your body makes insulin but it cannot use it the right way. Older people have a greater chance of getting type 2. So do people who are overweight and do not stay physically active. Some HIV medicines may increase the chance of getting type 2 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease found in people with HIV
- Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- Having low energy
- Peeing (urinating) very often
- Being very thirsty often
- Having blurry vision
- If not treated, type 2 diabetes can cause serious health issues, such as:
- Eye problems
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage, often worse in the legs
- In men, problems getting or keeping an erection
- Skin infections
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes can be controlled and treated by:
- Exercise—Exercising each day can help bring down your blood sugar levels
- Diet—Talk with your healthcare provider about a healthy eating plan to control type 2 diabetes. The eating plan will include foods that are high in fiber and low in fats and sugar. The American Diabetes Association Web site has a lot of information about eating plans for people with type 2 diabetes.
- Medicine that helps your body use insulin
For more information about diabetes, visit diabetes.com
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