Diabetes mellitus, usually referred to as diabetes, is a serious disorder characterized by the presence of excess glucose in the blood and tissues of the body. It is a disease in which the pancreatic hormone insulin is either not produced or not properly used by the body. Insulin is necessary to convert sugar, starches, and other food into the energy needed for daily life; thus, diabetes is characterized as a chronic metabolic disorder with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and abnormal energy metabolism. Caused by a combination of genetic, autoimmune, and environmental factors, diabetes is one of the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases globally (it is the fourth or fifth leading cause of death in most developed countries) and has no cure. To coincide with November being the American Diabetes Month and with November 14 being World Diabetes Day, this new Spotlight feature seeks to increase awareness about diabetes and highlight the risks and research efforts associated with this serious disorder.
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