How Does A1C Measure Blood Sugar

Diabetes – What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it has effectively.

The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.

Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.

In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can last for months or even for years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.

Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.

Type 2 diabetes

If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.

Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.

Symptoms of diabetes in women

It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.

Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.

One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able eliminate it correctly.

Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms

In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.

This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.

People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.

Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.

Diabetes diet

A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.

You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are excellent choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).

You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.

Diabetes medications

Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.

If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.

Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.