Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies cannot use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it correctly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your 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 provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.