Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body fails to make enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also essential to understand the symptoms so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy 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 helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.