Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the 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 disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it effectively.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.