Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or are unable to use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it effectively.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are excellent 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 sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.