Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness which affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not make enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the arteries 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 insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it is used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t filter it out.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also lose weight because their bodies make use of muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and they are available in tablet and injection forms.