Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take months or years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it correctly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can 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 are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.