Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take several years or even decades, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.