Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms to determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t able to properly use it.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high over time. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also harm the arteries in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over months or even years, eventually leading to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also must monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition through a healthy diet and exercise. They also may need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnicities, ages, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and the kidneys aren’t able filter it out correctly.
Diabetes in men Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. The body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters a day.
Men can be able to experience weight loss too as their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels are elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, manage weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might also consider limiting the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks often have a lot of sugar in them and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication, a second medicine might be added. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine for your preferences and needs.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and are available in tablets and injections.