Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to understand the symptoms so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.