Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many years or months, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it effectively.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters per day.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.