Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep 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 which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies rely on 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
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.