Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to filter it out correctly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually due to the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
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 remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.