Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which 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.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended 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 levels, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.