Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take months or even years, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every 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 an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might 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 diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.