Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it effectively.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have high levels of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.