Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. People with diabetes are unable to make insulin in sufficient quantities. In many cases, the pancreas stops working completely. As a result, people with diabetes must get their insulin exogenously, either through injections or via an external insulin pump.
Why do people need insulin ? When people eat, the body breaks down the food and processes it into compounds that give them energy. Insulin is the hormone that breaks down glucose. When the pancreas stops working properly, the body cannot break down sugars in the blood. In response, they experience consistently-high blood sugar levels that can damage eyesight, blood flow, and a host of other negative health issues.
Understanding what diabetes is, its symptoms, and how it’s treated can help people respond to issues before they become health emergencies. If you or someone you love may be struggling with diabetes, early identification and treatment are vital. So let’s explore some basics about diabetes and what you should do.
What Causes Diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes. One is typically related to weight and lifestyle, and the other is more complicated. First, let’s break down type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes – This type of diabetes occurs when the body turns on the pancreas and kills its ability to produce insulin. There is relatively little known about the reasons why this happens. Type 1 diabetes is more common in younger people and teens. Unfortunately, pancreas failure means the body produces too little insulin or none at all, which means people with type 1 have to administer insulin for the rest of their lives externally.
Type 2 Diabetes – Over 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It’s more common in adults, but it’s also possible for younger people to have the condition. With type 2 diabetes, the body struggles to use insulin correctly or properly. Obesity is closely tied to type 2 diabetes. Treatment often includes either injections or oral prescriptions to facilitate insulin management. Fortunately, many of the symptoms of diabetes fade or disappear when people lose weight. A healthy and active lifestyle can significantly improve insulin performance and how people feel.
In addition to these two types of diabetes, there is also gestational diabetes. Some women are at higher risk during pregnancy because of high blood sugar levels and other complications.
The Symptoms of Diabetes
As mentioned, knowing the symptoms of diabetes typically leads to earlier and more effective treatment. Unfortunately, many people live with diabetes for years without knowing what’s wrong. In some cases, people die because they failed to diagnose the condition. Here are some of the common symptoms of diabetes:
Constant feelings of being thirsty
Having to urinate frequently
Numbness in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes.
Weight fluctuations
Dry skin
Lethargy
Blurry vision
If you or someone you know experiences one or more of these symptoms, contact a doctor to get things checked. Having diabetes requires regular care from medical professionals.
Whenever possible, people with diabetes should strive to limit their sugar intake and live a healthy lifestyle. Losing weight often results in meaningful improvements in symptoms. In addition, patients with diabetes now have more tools at their disposal to manage the condition. It’s possible to live a full, happy life with diabetes.
For example, blood glucose monitors attach to the skin and give constant updates through your phone that tell you what your sugar levels are and whether you need to inject insulin with a needle or from your pump. While there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, it’s easier than ever to live with the condition thanks to developments in medicine and technology.
Peptides & Diabetes
Peptides are short chains of amino acids.
Melanotan 2 https://www.peptidesciences.com/blog/melanotan-2-how-does-it-work is a peptide that interacts with the melanocortin system to stimulate hormone and protein production. For example, Melanotan 2 helped increase metabolic support, appetite control, and immune balance in animal models. It helped control inflammation and oxidative stress.
Melanotan 2 also helped with insulin sensitivity. The test subjects given the peptide could process foods better and regulate body weight. They produced higher amounts of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which reduced oxidative stress and lowered inflammation. This resulted in lower amounts of melanin in the adipose tissue of obese subjects.