What is Diabetes?

Learning your child has diabetes is quite a shock. This is an area of diabetes.org for parents whose child has just been diagnosed. It covers the basics of diabetes treatment, as well as issues you may experience in the months and years ahead. It's not meant to replace advice and education from your child's healthcare team. Rather, use this as a reference as you begin your diabetes journey.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune disorder-a problem with the body's immune system. In a healthy body, specialized cells (called beta cells) in the pancreas make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to use energy from food. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakes beta cells for invaders and attacks them. When enough beta cells are destroyed, symptoms of diabetes appear.

In type 2 diabetes, the beta cells still produce insulin. However, either the cells do not respond properly to the insulin or the insulin produced naturally is not enough to meet the needs of the body. So insulin is usually still present in a person with type 2 diabetes, but it does not work as well as it should. Some people with type 2 can keep it under control by losing weight, changing their diet, and increasing their exercise. Others take one or more medications, including insulin.

A diabetes myth - diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar. This myth probably began when people with diabetes were absolutely forbidden from consuming sugar.  Researchers no longer believe this.  Your child can still have all of her favorite sweets as long as they are scheduled in her eating plan.

Diabetes Symptoms
Find out how you can detect diabetes.

Complications
Learn about diabetes complications and other related concerns.

Why does my child have diabetes?
Learn more about the development of diabetes.

Cure
This sections contains information about how the American Diabetes Association is working towards a cure.