Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it can’t use the insulin it does produce effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health issue that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, also known as glucose. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet, and kidneys. It could also cause damage to blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This destruction can happen over many years or months until it eventually leads to a total lack of insulin.
Insulin is a requirement for people with type 1 diabetes every day. They also have to keep track of their blood sugar levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One of the first signs of women suffering from diabetes is a rise in thirst and urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot eliminate it.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
People who have diabetes often feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as 4 liters a day.
Men may also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are usually high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like exercising and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being adequately controlled with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like 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’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.