Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. This occurs either because the body doesn't produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar) or because cells don't respond to the insulin that's produced.

There are several types of diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes: This type occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections for life. Type 2 Diabetes: In this type, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to insulin's effects. It's the most common type of diabetes and is often linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, and poor diet. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be managed with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, but may also require oral medications or insulin injections. Gestational Diabetes: This type occurs during pregnancy when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the extra needs of pregnancy. It usually resolves after giving birth, but women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Other Types: There are other, less common types of diabetes, such as monogenic diabetes, which is caused by a mutation in a single gene, and secondary diabetes, which is caused by another medical condition or certain medications.