Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin 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 to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it properly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like 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) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.