Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over several months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes 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 the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin 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 to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They might also need to take medicine 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 and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.