Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the 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. The destruction can happen over several months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.