Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the disease. It is also essential 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 the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can take many years or months until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
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 also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.