Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
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. The destruction can happen over many months or even years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people 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 the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it correctly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.