Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. 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 insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can happen over months or even for years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body is not producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they need to drink plenty of fluids.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease 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 and legumes are a good choice. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks often have high levels of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These drugs are often paired with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as 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 chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.