Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It happens when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can last for months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of 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 isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscles 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
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.