Diabetes

This passage outlines types of diabetes.

Lexile Level: 1220L

Categories: Sports & Health Science & Technology

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body fails to produce or properly use insulin, a hormone necessary for converting sugars and starches into energy. Nearly 21 million people in the United States have diabetes. Between five and ten percent of those people suffer from type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin. But the majority of Americans who are diagnosed with the disease have the more common type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin, or the cells in the body ignore the insulin. When this happens, sugar levels build up in the blood, which can cause problems as the cells become starved for energy. Over time high blood glucose levels can damage the eyes, kidneys, or the heart. Though it is a serious disease, with proper management and oversight, people with diabetes can live long, healthy lives.