Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over many months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.