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 when it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the 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 process of destruction can last for several years or even decades before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters per day.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.