Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may 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 rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.