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 when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps 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 make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for many years or months before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.