Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems 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 insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. 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 suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it correctly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of 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 an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.