Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies 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
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.