Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the 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. This destruction can happen over many years or months before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.