Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can take months or even years before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar 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 experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are good choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.