Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It’s also crucial to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell if something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or are unable to use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high over 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 caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The destruction can take place over several months or even years and eventually lead 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 insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not utilize insulin in 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 used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
It is a chronic illness that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most common complication associated with diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your blood, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when cells are not able to use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This usually happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a key element in managing your condition. It can help control blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, whole grains, vegetables beans, low-fat dairy and legumes. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks typically contain lots of sugar which can result in high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercising and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will guide you to determine the most appropriate medicine for 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, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss, and come in both tablets and injections.