Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. 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 condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades before eventually resulting in a total lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also 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 long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.