Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to make enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart 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 months or even for years before resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the 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 that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss 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 extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.