Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it isn’t able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over several months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible 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 urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out properly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.