Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart 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 in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several years or even decades and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.