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 isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are excessively high over time. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also harm your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out correctly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is because blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain lots of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.