Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body fails to make enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to know the symptoms, so you can determine if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can lead to problems in the feet, eyes, and kidneys. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years until it leads to the complete 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 within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used to create energy.
People with type 2 diabetes need to treat their diabetes through a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood glucose levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the first signs of diabetes in women is a rise in thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Symptoms of diabetes in men
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss because 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 long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products and legumes are good choices. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, provide kidney and cardiovascular benefits and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.