Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of 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 have type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.