Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions each year. It occurs because the body doesn’t make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of symptoms to determine if something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can lead to problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can last for many months or even years before resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out effectively.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies utilize muscles 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 diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.