Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from 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 increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm 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. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.