Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over many months or even years until it leads 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 the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make 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 utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.