Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than 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 is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.