Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many months or even years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also 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 isn’t producing insulin as 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.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
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 the blood sugar level stays 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, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.