.png){kind=logo}
Diabetes is caused by problems with insulin production, insulin use, or both. Genetics, autoimmune conditions, lifestyle factors, and pregnancy can all play a role depending on the type of diabetes.
Diabetes management
An overview and resources for daily diabetes management.
Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone you love, or looking to better understand daily management, learning the basics of diabetes can help you feel more confident and prepared.
Short answer: Diabetes happens when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use insulin properly, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
This page provides an overview of what diabetes is, common symptoms, treatment options, and helpful resources — including information for parents, caregivers, and Spanish-speaking communities.
What is diabetes in simple terms?
Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body has trouble controlling blood sugar (glucose). Insulin — a hormone made by the pancreas — helps move glucose from the blood into cells for energy. When insulin doesn’t work correctly or isn’t available, glucose builds up in the bloodstream.
Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs.
Types of diabetes include:
- Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body stops producing insulin and requires insulin therapy. Approximately 5–10% of people with diabetes have type 1.1
- Type 2 diabetes: A condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it. It can be caused by multiple factors, and may be referred to as “adult onset.”2
- Prediabetes occurs when you have a blood sugar level that is higher than normal, and can often lead to type 2 diabetes unless action is taken to prevent it.
- Gestational diabetes: Diabetes that develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after birth.
Why this matters: Understanding what diabetes is helps people recognize symptoms early and make informed treatment decisions.
Learn more about
Diabetes
Receiving a diabetes diagnosis can be overwhelming. From the initial shock to understanding the lifestyle changes ahead, it’s normal to feel a range of emotions — but you’re not alone on this journey. With the right support and resources, taking charge of your diabetes can become a manageable part of your everyday life.
Our diabetes community has valuable advice for people who have just been diagnosed. If you’re a parent or caregiver with a newly diagnosed child or newly diagnosed teen, your experience may be different. For more info, check out our resources for parents and caregivers, which include handy guides you can provide to your child’s babysitter, teacher, or coach.
Understanding common words and phrases related to diabetes can make communicating with friends, family, and healthcare professionals easier. Some important terms to know include: insulin, an A1C test, and Time in Range.
Check out our diabetes glossary for more common diabetes-related words and phrases.
What are the common symptoms of diabetes?
Diabetes symptoms can appear suddenly or develop gradually over time. Some are caused by high or low blood sugar levels, while others result from long-term effects of diabetes on the body.
Common diabetes-related symptoms and conditions include:
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Shakiness, sweating, confusion, dizziness, fast heartbeat, or irritability.
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar): Increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): A serious condition marked by very high blood sugar, nausea, vomiting, fruity-smelling breath, rapid breathing, and confusion.
- Vision changes and eye complications: Blurry vision, trouble focusing, or gradual vision loss.
- Lumps or bumps at insulin injection sites due to repeated use of the same area.
- Bruised or sore fingers: Often related to frequent fingerstick blood glucose testing.
- Gastroparesis: Delayed stomach emptying that can cause nausea, bloating, feeling full quickly, or unpredictable blood sugar levels.
- Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage that may cause tingling, numbness, burning, or pain — especially in the feet and hands.3
When to talk to a doctor: If symptoms are new, worsening, or interfering with daily life, contact a healthcare provider.
Learn more about
Symptoms and complications
How is insulin-requiring diabetes treated?
Diabetes treatment focuses on keeping blood glucose levels within a target range to reduce symptoms and lower the risk of complications. Treatment plans are personalized and may change over time, so be sure to check with your healthcare provider for the best treatment for you.
With the right treatment, people with diabetes can go on to live happy, normal lives. The two main types of diabetes treatments are multiple daily injections and insulin pump therapy.
- Multiple daily injections (MDI) is a common diabetes treatment that involves manually injecting yourself with insulin several times a day, typically in the evening and before meals.
- Insulin pump therapy involves receiving doses of insulin throughout the day via an insulin pump, a small device that delivers the insulin through a thin, flexible tube called an infusion set.
Thanks to the evolution of technology, there are also more advanced treatment options available for people living with diabetes than ever before! Check out some of the latest below:
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) refers to a small sensor device that you wear to measure and track your sugar levels and their trends. While a CGM alone may not be enough to manage type 1 diabetes, a healthcare provider may prescribe it for non-insulin-dependent patients.
- Smart insulin pen systems, or smart multiple daily injections (also known as Smart MDI), combine a Bluetooth®-enabled smart insulin pen, CGM, and injection port to help you calculate the right insulin dose to take at the right time.
- Automated insulin delivery systems are made up of an insulin pump, CGM, and smart algorithm that links the two devices together, allowing them to communicate with each other to help manage your blood sugar levels throughout the day.
What does daily diabetes management involve?
Living with diabetes means making daily decisions that affect blood sugar levels. These decisions may change based on activity, food, illness, stress, or routines.
Whether you’re a parent, student, athlete, world traveler, or even an actor, diabetes doesn’t have to hold you back. By crafting a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range and continue to live your life the way you want. From carb counting to travel planning, we have some resources designed to help guide you on your journey.
What does nutrition and diabetes look like? When it comes to eating, you'll learn the importance of making the right food choices to help manage blood sugar levels, support overall health, and reduce the risk of complications. Maintaining a balanced diet is important because it helps individuals with diabetes control their condition and maintain their quality of life.
Carb counting is another big part of learning how to eat with diabetes.
Don’t forget, success starts with making smart choices when grocery shopping.
Exercise can help you control your diabetes. If your preferred method of exercise consists of sports, then you should explore how various sports have different effects on your blood sugar. You may be surprised to know that there are many athletes living with diabetes — they are able to do anything, from running marathons to participating in the Olympics!
Traveling with diabetes is absolutely possible, but does require a bit more planning ahead. If you’re headed to the airport, you’ll need to know how to get your diabetes devices and supplies through TSA.
If you’re traveling with an insulin pump, check out our travel checklist for items to remember to take with you.
Diabetes community and support
Connecting with others who understand the challenges of living with diabetes can help you feel less alone and more empowered in your journey. The diabetes community is a powerful group that offers valuable support, encouragement, and shared experiences.
- The MiniMed Champions global community consists of people all over the world who are redefining what it means to live with diabetes each day.
- Our LOOP blog features success stories, support tips, and industry news and announcements.
- Explore other online diabetes communities you can become a part of.
Learn more about
#MiniMedChampion community
How can parents and caregivers support someone with diabetes?
Parents, caregivers, and loved ones play an essential role in diabetes care — especially for children and teens.
Helpful resources for parents and caregivers may include:
- Education about diabetes basics and symptoms
- Guidance for managing diabetes at school or daycare
- Tips for supporting emotional well-being
- Tools to help children build independence over time
Having reliable information empowers caregivers to respond confidently to both everyday needs and unexpected situations.
Learn more about
Parents and caregiver resources
Resources in Spanish (Recursos sobre la diabetes en español)
Los recursos sobre diabetes en español contribuyen a que más personas y familias tengan acceso a información clara y comprensible.
Estos recursos pueden incluir:
- Información sobre la diabetes tipo 1 y tipo 2
- Educación sobre el control de la glucosa en sangre
- Guías para el uso de dispositivos y tecnologías, incluidos los monitores continuos de glucosa y las bombas de insulina
Acceso a recursos en español para contenido de apoyo en español.
Learn more about
Spanish resources
Diabetes FAQ's
What is the main cause of diabetes?
What is the main cause of diabetes?
Can diabetes be managed?
Can diabetes be managed?
Yes. While diabetes is a lifelong condition, many people successfully manage it through medication, monitoring, healthy habits, and support from their healthcare team.
What are the first signs of diabetes?
What are the first signs of diabetes?
Early signs may include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and unexplained weight changes.
References
- Type 1 Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/about-type-1-diabetes.html.
- Understanding Type 2 Diabetes. American Diabetes Association https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-2.
- Nueropathy. American Diabetes Association https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications/neuropathy.