Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating 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 has effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the 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 the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust 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 doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to filter it out effectively.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they need to drink a lot of fluids.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, including fruits vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These drugs are often paired with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.