Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can happen over several months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss 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 prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications 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 control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.