Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can take several years or even decades until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.