Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that 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.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it correctly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.