Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control 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, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.