Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it correctly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.