Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even for years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.