Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is important to know the symptoms, to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also damage 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 insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even for years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.