Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely 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 build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.