Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t 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 in time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the 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. This destruction can happen over months or years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t producing 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 can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.