Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to know if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the 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 destruction can take place over many months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out correctly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.