Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able eliminate it correctly.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.