Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out correctly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.