Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be cured and can be prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is important to be aware of the signs, so you can determine if 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 does not produce enough insulin or fails to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or their bodies cannot use it properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause problems with your 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 many months or even years until it leads to an absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food, and levels of activity to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t making the insulin it needs to. 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 to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced 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 of all races and ethnic groups, ages, and genders. However women are at a higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, such as heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women with diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to remove it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the level by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. This can be up to four liters daily.
Men can also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels, reduce your weight and risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, and low-fat dairy. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might be advised to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain plenty of sugar in them that can cause elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled by one medicine another medicine could be added. Your doctor will work with you to pick the most appropriate medicine for your requirements and preferences.
The latest medications, including sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors as well as glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptors, lower blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the chance of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.