Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body fails to make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
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 aren’t able to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of 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 the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.