Diabetes

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is caused by either a lack of insulin-secreting beta-cells in the pancreas due to an autoimmune response (type 1 diabetes), an imbalance between blood sugar level and insulin production (type 2 diabetes), and can be precipitated by pregnancy (gestational diabetes). Symptoms of diabetes can vary, and if untreated, can have a range of acute and chronic complications.