Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body is unable to make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or cannot use it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your 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 to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out properly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may 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 long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.