Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body fails to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over many months or even years before resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out correctly.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty and require to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels are high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks usually contain high levels of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being controlled by one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.