Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. 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 pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can last for months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies utilize muscles 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 with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.