Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even for years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters per 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 remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.