Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.