Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also harm 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 insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.