Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it can’t use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years before resulting in an absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of a wide range of whole foods, such as fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication another medicine could be added. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.