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’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more at 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 vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it correctly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.