Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. 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 to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.