Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. 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 your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using 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 to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon 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 tablet and injection forms.