Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial 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 the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take 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 normal 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 helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at greater 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.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since 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 extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.