Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that 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 should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar 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 an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.