Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s 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 isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years, eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnic groups as well as ages and genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to remove it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of 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 a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to determine the most appropriate medication for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.