Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when the body fails to make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to know the symptoms, to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over many months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.