Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even for years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each 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 in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.