Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can last for months or even for years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is utilized to generate energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it correctly.
Men with diabetes: 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 is producing too little insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the chance of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.