Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the 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, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.