Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.