Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
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. The destruction can happen over months or even for years, eventually resulting in the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar levels within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are more at risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it correctly.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men also may lose weight as their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are usually high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.