Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They also may need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies utilize 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 healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.