Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to make enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. 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 for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is because 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 control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.