Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This process can take many years or months until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is needed 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 have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate it effectively.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters a day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.