Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to recognize the signs to determine whether there is a problem and seek 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 isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It could also harm your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over several years or even decades until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at 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 vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it properly.
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 due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar and can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.