Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This process can last for many months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in 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 aren’t being well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablets and injections.