Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your 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 destruction can happen over several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.