Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage 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 pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables 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 need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.