Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over many years or months until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on 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 have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to manage 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. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it effectively.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.