Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or even years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every 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 a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.