Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It is also crucial 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 the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can last for months or even for years and eventually lead to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs 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 who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.