Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to know the symptoms, so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to filter it out correctly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are good choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you pick the best medication for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.