Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types 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 a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.