Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor 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 making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications 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 manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.