Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to recognize the signs to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (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 a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even for years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it correctly.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.