Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to know whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can take months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as 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.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.