Diabetes mellitus is a chronic progressive disease that interferes with the body's ability to store and use glucose (blood sugar), protein, and fats. This disorder affects approximately 21 million people in the United States and is a leading cause of death and disability. Diabetes occurs in two forms: insulin-dependent or type 1 diabetes, and non-insulin-dependent or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes stems from insufficient insulin production by the pancreas and accounts for 5% to 10% of cases. Conventional therapy for type 1 diabetes typically consists of one or two insulin injections per day, daily self-monitoring of blood glucose and urine glucose, and controlled diet and exercise. Insulin can also be supplied continuously from a pump. Self-monitoring of blood sugar with fingerstick blood samples does not capture all of the fluctuations in glucose levels and can result in missing some instances of excess or insufficient blood sugar levels. Excess blood sugar can result in damage to nerves, kidneys, retinas, and blood vessels whereas severe blood sugar deficits can cause seizures and coma.