Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the 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 the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able remove it effectively.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.