Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be treated or delayed through diet, exercise and medications. It is also important to recognize the signs so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or aren’t able to use it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage 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 insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can last for months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as 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 for energy.
Type 2 diabetics have to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is because blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal 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 being well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate medicine for your personal preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.