Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for many years or months until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
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 decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.