Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t using 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 is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.