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 isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to determine if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can last for many months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. Women are more at risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are excellent choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.