What is diabetes, and how does it affect the body?

Diabetes is a chronic and complex condition that occurs when the body is unable to effectively regulate blood glucose levels. This is either because the body cannot produce insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter cells to be used as energy, or the insulin produced is not effective, which leads to insulin resistance. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes, which is more common, involves the body becoming resistant to insulin or failing to produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Without effective management, diabetes can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, and increased risk of infections. Currently, there is no cure for diabetes, but clinical trials play a key role in advancing the understanding of this condition, exploring new treatments, medications, and technologies to improve the quality of life for those living with diabetes.