Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize 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 increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to 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 in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over many months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to keep their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out effectively.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than 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 key element in managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.