Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or even years and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics 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 sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it effectively.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men may 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 are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. 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 a wide range of whole foods, such as 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 need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a 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 aren’t being well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.