Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.