Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is also essential to know the symptoms, 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 how your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.