Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
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 caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as 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 reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.