Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It’s also important 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 illness (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it in a proper manner.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.