Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the development of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the arteries 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 insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or years and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it properly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle to make 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 diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.