Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years until it leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t producing insulin as 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 for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it properly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men also may lose weight since 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 an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for 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 as well as legumes, beans and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.