Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the progression of the disease. It is also essential to understand the symptoms so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.