Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels control weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods like 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 need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss, and they come in both tablet and injection forms.