Due to the rampant obesity in the United States, diabetes is one of the fastest growing health concerns. While most people recognize the fact the diabetes is a debilitating disease, many people still find themselves asking “what is diabetes?” There are two types of diabetes, and they both affect that way that your body uses and processes blood glucose, also known as blood sugar.
Although researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of type 1 diabetes, family history and viral illnesses are suspected to be the main culprits. The more common—and preventable—type of diabetes is type 2. This is caused by a combination of obesity, inactivity, age and several other factors.