Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it properly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters daily.
Men also may lose weight because their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.