Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also harm the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can take many years or months before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.