Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to recognize the signs to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
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 process of destruction can last for months or even years, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.