Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t 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 cause issues with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even for years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it properly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss because their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.