Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes 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 a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even for years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out properly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.