Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.