Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also important to be aware of the signs, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over several months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every 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 levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain a lot of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.