Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the 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. The process of destruction can last for months or years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.