Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can last for several months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able eliminate it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease 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 result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
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 need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have lots of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.