Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can last for months or even for years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of 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 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One early warning sign of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to utilize glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle to make energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have a lot of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to help manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to pick the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.