Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.