Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and 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 until it leads to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.