Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for many years or months before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it properly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are good choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.