Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body fails to make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms to determine if there is a problem 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 your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it properly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.