Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to know if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or cannot use it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able remove it in a proper manner.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.