Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether there is 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 happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete 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 an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower heart disease 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 such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.