Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar 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 more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.