Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even for years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise 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 added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.