Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it produces effectively.
The good news is that it is treatable and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also crucial to recognize the signs so you can determine whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
The blood sugar levels rise over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to your heart arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can occur over several months or even years until it leads to a complete lack of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. 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 as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They also may need to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women who suffer from diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys can’t eliminate it.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is usually due to the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty and require to drink a lot of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablet and injection forms.