Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm the heart and brain arteries as well as your 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 process of destruction can last for several years or even decades and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part 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 a wide range of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.