Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
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 can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
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. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for 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 a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.