Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to know the symptoms, to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting), which alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels are too high in time. This can cause issues with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, and destroys them. This destruction can happen over months or even years and eventually lead to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activities to maintain their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may 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 as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to develop complications, like heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women with diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it correctly.
Men with diabetes The signs and symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This usually happens because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink lots of fluids.
Men may be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole food items in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are usually packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.