Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. 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 illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, 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.