Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also essential to know the symptoms, to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over several months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.