Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make 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 follow a healthy diet. They may also 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 all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it properly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.