Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is 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 months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like 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 may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.