Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is important to recognize the signs to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or are unable to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it effectively.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may 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 level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically 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 the normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.