Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics 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 have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.