Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also 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 age, genders, and ages. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.