Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition 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 stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long 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 regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.