Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over many months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have 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 and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.