Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps 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 rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is 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 several months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have lots of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.