Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are great choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.