Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are great choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.