Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.