Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can take months or years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it properly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose 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 they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too 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.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.