Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or years and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out effectively.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.