Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits 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 tablet and injectable forms.