Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to 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 insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or even years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity 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 that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular 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 people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible 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 diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able remove it properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.