Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it isn’t able to use the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to determine if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue 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 properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause problems in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that helps your cells move glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics must 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 all races and ethnicities age, genders, and ages. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able get rid of it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is usually because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar 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 they need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods 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 great choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.