Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin, or fails to use it as efficiently as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t able to make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can lead to issues with the kidneys, eyes and feet. It may also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over many years or months and eventually lead to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and activity levels to maintain their blood sugar within the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to eliminate it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes, cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies make use of muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
A healthy diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and 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, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may consider limiting your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not being managed well with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medicine for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablet and injection forms.