Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can occur over many months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin every 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 levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing 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 through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.