Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out correctly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.