Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can happen over several months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.