According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is a chronic, lifelong condition that affects approximately 20.8 million American children and adults. Out of these people, an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes and are receiving medication. However the remaining 6.2 million people are not even aware that they have the disease.

Causes and Risk Factors

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is occurs when the body does not produce or optimally use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is required to convert sugar, starches, and other foods into the energy necessary for normal functioning of the body. Insufficient quantities of insulin cause hyperglycemia or abnormally high blood sugar levels. There are three major types of diabetes:

	Type 1 diabetes: The body fails to produce insulin.
	Type 2 diabetes: The body fails to properly use insulin. This abnormality is also known as insulin resistance. It often occurs simultaneously with relative insulin deficiency. Most individuals who are suffering from this disorder have this type of diabetes.
	Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes only develops during pregnancy, especially among women who have a family history of diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes are more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes in the near future.