Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists 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 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
The latest medications, including 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 also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.