Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes 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 a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.