Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to recognize the signs to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.