Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar 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 hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should 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 also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.