Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased 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 filter it out properly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.