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 make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be avoided or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is also essential to be aware of the signs, so you can determine whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health condition that affects the way your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as well as it should.
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 are unable to use it effectively.
In both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high in time. This can cause issues 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 disease in which your body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cell in the pancreas. The destruction can take place over several months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
Insulin is needed by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust the insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which 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 adhere to a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all races as well as ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
Polydipsia can be a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excess sugar to build up in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it effectively.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and need to drink lots of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that the blood sugar level stays high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes is a crucial aspect of managing the condition. It can help you control blood sugar levels and weight, as well as reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products and legumes are good choices. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fat and added sugars.
You may also want to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are typically packed with sugar and can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications like glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar, have cardiovascular and kidney benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.