Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can last for several months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to maintain their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are excellent choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.