Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is 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 months or even years until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.