Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving 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 have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out correctly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
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 level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.