Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or even years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes 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 levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out correctly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.