Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This process can take many years or months before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.