Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or years before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activities to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out properly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
The men may also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods, including fruits whole grains, vegetables beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, like exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed on one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.