Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar 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 have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.