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 unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys 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 which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many months or even years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able eliminate it correctly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men can also lose weight as their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced 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 that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer 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.