What characterizes diabetes in terms of blood glucose levels?

Diabetes is primarily characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, which can occur due to either insufficient insulin production or the body's inability to effectively use the insulin that is produced. In individuals with diabetes, the regulation of blood glucose is disrupted, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). This condition can result from various mechanisms, including insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes or the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in type 1 diabetes.

Understanding this pathophysiology is crucial because prolonged elevated blood glucose levels can lead to serious complications, such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Thus, monitoring and managing blood glucose levels are essential components of diabetes care.