Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart 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 take months or years until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.