Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over many months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way 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 to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and kidneys can’t filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.