Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is also crucial to recognize the signs to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over several months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the 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 can then be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike 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 come in both tablet and injection forms.