Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also keep an eye on their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it properly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.