Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can identify whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.