Diabetes is a condition resulting from the body’s inability to metabolize sugar. Diabetes interferes with the production and proper use of insulin, which is a hormone that is critical in the conversion of sugar, starches and other food into energy. Diabetes is one of the most serious metabolic disorders that affect the human body. The high blood sugar levels caused by diabetes need to be carefully controlled through diet, exercise, and medication.

There are a variety of symptoms of diabetes, many of which are obvious to those people who are aware of the disease. However, those who aren’t familiar with the disease may remain unaware of their symptoms until the disease is advanced, and damage has been done. Some common symptoms of diabetes are:

Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
Excessive urination (polyuria)
Excessive eating (polyphagia)
Poor wound healing
Infections
Altered mental status
Blurry vision

Although the cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles in its development. More than 16 million people are affected by Diabetes in the United States alone, and there are even more people affected by the disease who are unaware that they have it.