Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage 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 cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food 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 functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too 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 long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.