Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over many months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.