Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing 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. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it properly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.