Diabetes

Overview

Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, refers to a group of diseases that have to do with how your body makes and uses glucose, which is also called blood sugar. Glucose provides energy for your body's cells. The most common form of diabetes is type 2, but some people have type 1. Diabetes can also occur during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). Having any type of diabetes means you have too much glucose in your blood. This can lead to serious complications, such as heart disease or kidney disease.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Experience and expertise. Mayo Clinic doctors have expertise in treating people with hard-to-control blood sugar.
• Team approach. Mayo Clinic's teamwork system brings together the specialists you need to create a customized treatment plan for you. Your team may include a doctor, diabetes educator and registered dietitian who will work closely with you to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible.
• Newest research. A research partnership between Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota has the goal of finding optimal treatments and ultimately curing diabetes.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for diabetes and endocrinology in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic also ranks among the Best Children's Hospitals in diabetes and endocrinology.

Read more about diabetes.