Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or even years before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it in a proper manner.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.