Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.