Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over several months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. 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 high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
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 decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.