Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to remove it correctly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.