Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
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 cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the 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 cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can last for months or even for years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as 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 vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.