Diabetes: Test Your Knowledge

When you have diabetes, your body can't use blood sugar correctly. Blood sugar is also called blood glucose

Many people with the disease don't know they have it. It most often develops in middle-aged, obese adults. But younger people, even children, can develop it. This is more of a risk if it runs in the family.

The pancreas makes insulin.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. Insulin circulates in your bloodstream. Insulin unlocks the "cell door." It lets blood sugar move from the bloodstream into your cells. Your cells use the blood sugar for energy production.

People with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease and nerve damage than people who don't have diabetes.

For daily control of diabetes, keep in mind that eating raises your blood sugar and exercising lowers it. To control your blood sugar levels, balance your food and activity. Over time, a balance between eating and exercise keeps you from gaining weight. Extra weight can make it harder to keep your diabetes under control.

Your immune system works to fight off infections. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Experts don't know why this happens. A person's genes are one of many possible factors.

Steroid medicines like prednisone can raise blood sugar. This can be reversed when you no longer take the medicine.

The CDC says that African Americans and Latinos are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The CDC also notes that American Indians and Alaskan Natives, some Asian Americans, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders are at higher risk for this disease as well.