Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm 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 process can take months or years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try 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 a lot of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce 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, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including 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 reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.