Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high over time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or even years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it effectively.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.