Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to know the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce 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, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out properly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.