Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when the body fails to make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or years and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.