A serious disorder caused by an absence of or insufficient amount of insulin in the bloodstream.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas in varying amounts, depending on the concentration of glucose (sugar). When the pancreas is unable to secrete enough insulin to maintain a normal concentration of glucose in the blood, the blood-glucose concentration becomes elevated. Large amounts of glucose are then excreted in the urine. Insulin allows glucose to be absorbed by the liver and fat cells, where it is stored as glycogen. In times of stress, exercise, or an emergency, the glycogen is reconverted back to glucose. It also sends glucose to the muscle cells where it is then converted to energy.

More than 12 million Americans are affected by diabetes. There is a 5-6% increase in the number of those affected each year by the disease, primarily due to the population's increased...