Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get 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 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 even years until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.