Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take months or years and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.