Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This process can take several years or even decades before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the 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 your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.