People with diabetes either don’t make enough of the hormone insulin (type 1 diabetes — previously known as juvenile diabetes) or can’t use insulin properly (type 2 diabetes). Insulin allows blood sugar (glucose) to enter and fuel every cell in the body. When someone doesn’t have enough insulin or can’t use it effectively, blood sugar builds up in the blood. Over time, this can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation of toes, feet or legs.
Ninety percent of the estimated 86 million Americans with pre-diabetes don’t know they have it. DoIHavePrediabetes.org offers a seven-question test to find out if you’re at risk. The site launched in 2016 as part of the first national pre-diabetes awareness campaign.
