Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can aid in preventing or reducing the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to be able to tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is called glucose. People with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can lead to problems with the eyes, feet, and kidneys. It can also harm the blood vessels in your heart as well as the brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which can then be utilized to generate energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities and genders. However, women are at a greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss because their bodies break down muscle to make energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged 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, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are typically paired with lifestyle changes such as eating habits and exercise to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you select the right medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer drugs like glucagonlike receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.