Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or even years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose 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 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as 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 diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out effectively.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle 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
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.