Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms to determine what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can happen over months or even years before eventually resulting in an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not utilize insulin in the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove 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 medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to suffer from complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your blood, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as diet and physical activity, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.