Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can take months or years before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it correctly.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
The men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight, and lower the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.