Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It occurs when the body is unable to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make 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.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
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 men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop 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 can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.