Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even for years and eventually lead to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the 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 to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it properly.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.