Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is important to understand the symptoms to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. 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 insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. 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 condition that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.