Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition 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 have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out effectively.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.