Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce 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. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.