Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the 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 insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even for years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able remove it properly.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.