Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the 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 which can then be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.