Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making 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 known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart 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. This process can take months or even years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.