Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over many months or even years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies rely on muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels are high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.