When you have diabetes, your body can't use blood sugar properly. 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, although younger people, even children, can develop it. This is especially true 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," allowing blood sugar to 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 management of diabetes, eating raises your blood sugar and exercising lowers it. Each must be done carefully to balance blood sugar levels. Over the years, a balance between eating and exercise keeps you from gaining weight. Extra weight can make it more difficult to keep your diabetes under control.

Your immune system works to fight off infections. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Doctors 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 diabetic condition can be reversed when you no longer take the medicine.

According to the CDC, African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children and teens.