Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also crucial to be aware of the signs, so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with the 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 disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can take months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose 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 hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it effectively.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
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, such as diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.