Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also harm the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it correctly.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies use muscles 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 healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.