Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the coronary arteries and brain.
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. This process can last for months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out effectively.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.