Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys 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 pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over many years or months, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every 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 the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able eliminate it correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little 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 via urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.