Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every 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 treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t using insulin as it should. 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 as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They might also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men can also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have plenty of sugar in them, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.