Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t 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 cannot use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are afflicted with symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.