Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the progression of the disease. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or are unable to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years, eventually leading to 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 the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.