Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every 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 a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide 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 injectable forms.