Diabetes is caused by a deficiency of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin controls the amount of sugar in your blood. Without the correct amount of insulin, your blood sugar can be too low or too high. Untreated diabetes results in hyperglycemia, also known as high blood sugar. Some symptoms include:

- Frequent and excessive hunger or thirst
- Frequent and excessive urination
- Blurred vision
- Weight loss

If left untreated, your body will try to eliminate glucose through the urine. When this happens, it becomes a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

There are two types of diabetes:

- Type I, or juvenile diabetes, is inherited and is typically present at a young age.
- Type II diabetes is caused by other medical problems, including obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
- Type II diabetes is preventable by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. If you are obese, you are at risk of developing Type II diabetes. The onset of Type II diabetes can be delayed or eliminated by:

- Exercising at least two-and-a-half hours per week
- Eliminate tobacco use
- Reducing the amount of fat in your diet

If you are at risk for Type II diabetes, your doctor may prescribe medication to delay its onset. However, medication is not as effective as diet and exercise.