Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or use the insulin that it has effectively.
The good news is that it is curable and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to determine the signs of a problem and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that alters the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or fails to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels can become too high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or years until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which can then be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. Women are more susceptible than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of diabetes in women is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your blood and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This results in high blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters per day.
The men may also lose weight since their bodies use muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not well controlled with one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to select the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.