Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and 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 months or years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the 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, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.