Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the progression of the disease. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can identify 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 your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart 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 cells in the pancreas. This process can last for several months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those 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 glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Diabetes in men 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 produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters per 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 levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.