Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can all help in preventing or delaying the development of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it properly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both types of diabetes. This can cause issues with your feet, eyes, and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or even years before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t producing 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 for energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to remove it properly.
Diabetes in men The signs and symptoms
In the case of diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters per day.
Men also may lose weight since their bodies rely on muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and the risk of heart disease by reducing risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are excellent choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in normal levels. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will help you pick the best medication to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.