Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food 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 make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They might also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.