Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years, eventually leading to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They might also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.