Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be treated or delayed through 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 condition (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well 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 kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it effectively.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.