Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for several years or even decades before eventually resulting in the total absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. 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 should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are at greater risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out in a proper manner.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This leads to high blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might consider limiting your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.