Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it does have effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the disease. It’s also important to be aware of symptoms to know the signs of a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to use it properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can lead to issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic insulin-producing cells and destroys them. The process of destruction can last for months or years until it eventually leads to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics require insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the insulin, food and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin the way it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes need to treat their condition with a healthy diet and exercise. They may also need to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are more at risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to suffer from complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys aren’t able to get rid of it effectively.
Men with diabetes: Symptoms
In the case of diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Your body then attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
People with diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids, as much as four liters a day.
Men can also experience weight loss since their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole foods, such as fruits whole grains, vegetables, beans and low-fat dairy. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also be able to reduce the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are often combined with changes in lifestyle, like physical activity and diet, to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t controlled on one medicine it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you choose the best medicine to meet your needs and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists, peptide-1, and sodium-glucose inhibitors that lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and lower the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.