Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or even years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to maintain their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of developing heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have lots of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.