Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
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 are unable to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
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 males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for 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 also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.