Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those 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 sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it effectively.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. 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, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.