Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot make use of the insulin it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or can’t use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for months or years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
It is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it correctly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since 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 prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as 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 be advised to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you to choose the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.