Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over many years or months until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss 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 extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.