Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your 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. This process can last for several months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every 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 may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it properly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage 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 whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.