Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it properly.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as 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 levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits 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 injectable forms.