Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable 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 get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are good choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have lots of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might 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 diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.