Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it properly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.