Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too 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 caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy 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 where it is used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes 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 managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.