Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body does not make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over many months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine to meet your 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, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.