Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able eliminate it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.