Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body is unable to make enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to understand the symptoms so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This process can take months or years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and vision loss.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it properly.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men may also lose weight as their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is because blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being adequately controlled with one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.