Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is important to understand the symptoms to determine whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t make enough insulin or are unable to use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, 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 and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even for years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They also may need to take medications to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it properly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
In diabetes it is when cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink plenty of fluids.
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 level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon peptide-1 receptor antagonists, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.