Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is important to recognize the signs to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years until it eventually leads 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 activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.