Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over several months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.