Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or even years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits 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.