Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to 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 an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
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 a good choice. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.