Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also must monitor their blood glucose 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 helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
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 the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as 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 may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.