Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease 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 many years or months and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it correctly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.