Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or even years, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They might also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to eliminate it in a proper manner.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.