Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) 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 your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it effectively.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including 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 might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.