Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the 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. This process can take months or even years, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage 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 likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are great choices. 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 typically contain plenty of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.