Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can take several years or even decades, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.