Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. It is caused when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high in time. This can cause issues in the kidneys, eyes and feet. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This process can take months or years, eventually leading to an inability to produce insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is usually because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This causes elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes are typically thirsty, and they have to drink plenty of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole food items in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks often have high levels of sugar in them which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as physical activity and diet, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you might need to add a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medicine for your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.