Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.