Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the progression of the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or cannot use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. 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 pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take months or years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and 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 all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are 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 levels, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.