Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men may 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 remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, 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 beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.