Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent 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 usually contain lots of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.