Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels 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 that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out properly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.