Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to know if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The destruction can take place over months or even years before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes 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 a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps 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 balanced diet. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically have a thirsty feeling and must drink large quantities of fluids, up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as eating habits and physical activity to 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 to choose the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.