Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to know whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or years, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
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 are not able to filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.