Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take months or years and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it effectively.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.