Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and get 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 stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have plenty of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes in lifestyle, like diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will guide you to pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.