Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to recognize the signs to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
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 remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.