Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for many years or months and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower 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 daily.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.