Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can last for months or even years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes 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 don’t have the capacity to filter it out correctly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. 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 usually contain high levels of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.