Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to know if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. 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 autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over many months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it correctly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.