Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can take several years or even decades, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.