Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.