Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body does not make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over several months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.