Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is important to recognize the signs so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can last for months or even for years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make 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 utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.