Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot make use of 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 the symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. 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 as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may 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 remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.