Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also cause damage to 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 occur over months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can 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 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 regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are a good choice. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.