Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is important to recognize the signs so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can take many years or months before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it correctly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make 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 is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.