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 can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is important to understand the symptoms to determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.