Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or use the insulin that it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to determine whether something is wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it in a proper way.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also cause damage to the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This destruction can happen over many years or months until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by those who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They must also monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels in order 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 helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics should exercise and follow a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are more susceptible than males.
Women with diabetes have a greater chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is increased thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also lose weight because their bodies use muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet with a low-carbohydrate diet can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are excellent choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar and can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may suggest diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduce blood sugar levels, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injectable forms.