Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able remove it correctly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.