Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is important to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and 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 many months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They might also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables 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 lots of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.