Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease 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 chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies use muscles 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
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.