Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. Insulin is produced by a large gland called the pancreas which lies between the stomach and the backbone. When an individual is not able to produce insulin or use it effectively, they experience raised glucose levels in the blood (hyperglycemia).

The pancreas produces insulin.

Hyperglycaemia is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes. Over the long term, high glucose levels (a.k.a. hyperglycemia) can lead to serious damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

There are three main types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 diabetes, 
2. Type 2 diabetes, and
3. Gestational diabetes.

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