Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies rely on muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and offer benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablets and injections.