Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is important to know the symptoms, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects 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 a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take months or years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also 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, and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of 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 a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.