Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to recognize the signs to determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or even years and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.