Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can last for many months or even years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also keep an eye on 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 have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) 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 excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including 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, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.