Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.