Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It is also essential 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 condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have 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.