Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and kidneys can’t filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.