Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your 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 take place over many years or months and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it effectively.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. 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 are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.