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.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
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 may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because 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 you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide 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.