Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It happens 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 treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over several months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss since 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 crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.