Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists 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 make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even for years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out 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 typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.