Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can identify if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even for years and eventually lead to a complete lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.