What is diabetes primarily characterized by?

Diabetes is primarily characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood, a condition known as hyperglycemia. This occurs because the body either does not produce enough insulin, which is necessary for cells to take in glucose from the bloodstream, or the cells do not respond effectively to insulin. As a result, glucose accumulates in the blood, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

Understanding this condition is important for managing diabetes and preventing complications. The presence of high blood sugar affects various body systems and can lead to long-term complications if not properly controlled. Monitoring blood sugar levels, dietary adjustments, and medication management are critical components of diabetes care.

Other options present unrelated characteristics. High levels of protein in the blood are not indicative of diabetes, and dietary fat levels do not holistically characterize the disease. Low levels of insulin production can contribute to diabetes, but it is not the defining feature since some types of diabetes may involve normal or even high insulin levels due to insulin resistance. The defining characteristic, however, remains the high levels of sugar in the blood.