Diabetes is a chronic condition that is caused by an excessive level of glucose in the blood. The condition occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin – a hormone released from the pancreas. There are several types of diabetes – type 2 being the most common. Patients with type 2 diabetes produce insulin at a level insufficient for keeping blood glucose levels at a healthy state.
The symptoms of diabetes develop gradually over time, and they often go unnoticed in the early stages. In fact, it is estimated that most people have the disease 5 to 10 years before it is diagnosed.