Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (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 correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even for years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it in a proper manner.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.