Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or are unable to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar in an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it effectively.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended 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 decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.