Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is important to recognize the signs so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over several months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out effectively.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too 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 are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.