Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can identify if there is a problem 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 your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or even years until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.