Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also 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 condition (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.