Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or even years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of 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 suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin 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.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.