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Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the body’s levels of blood sugar and the hormone insulin are out of balance. It is one of the most common diseases in the United States, and its numbers are constantly rising.
NICHD is one of many federal agencies and NIH institutes that supports research on diabetes. Although the institute studies different aspects of diabetes, NICHD is not the primary resource for patient information about diabetes. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse and the National Diabetes Education Program provide detailed patient information about type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
General Information
Diabetes is a disease of metabolism, which is the way your body uses food for energy and growth. It is specifically related to the body's inability to use glucose.
Common symptoms include unusual thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, extreme hunger, irritability, and mood changes. Diabetes doesn’t always cause symptoms, making it hard to diagnose.
The exact causes of diabetes are not fully understood and typically involve multiple factors, such as genetics and interactions with the environment.
The most common test for diagnosing any kind of diabetes is the oral glucose tolerance test.
The main types of treatment for diabetes are lifestyle changes that include a healthy diet and improved activity levels as well as oral medicines and sometimes insulin injections.
Research
NICHD has a large and active research portfolio on diabetes, its associated conditions, and its treatments.
Find a Study
NICHD conducts and supports a variety of clinical research projects related to diabetes.
More Information
Find answers to other common questions about diabetes, such as how to prevent it, how it affects pregnancy, and other health problems connected to diabetes.
Links to websites of groups that study or provide information about diabetes.
Alternate Titles
Gestational Diabetes
Juvenile Diabetes
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