Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your 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 inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.