Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease 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 many years or months until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose 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 men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
It is important to 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 great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help 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 work with you to pick the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer 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.