Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to 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 increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for 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 tablet and injection forms.