Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove 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 by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it effectively.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.