Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for many years or months and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like 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 cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.