Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to make enough insulin or use the insulin that it produces effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also crucial to understand the symptoms so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies aren’t able to utilize it correctly.
The blood sugar levels increase with time in both forms of diabetes. This can cause problems with your feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, which means that your immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take months or even years and eventually lead to an inability to produce insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes must take insulin each day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body isn’t using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells, where it can be used as energy.
People with type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes in women symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities and genders. However women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are at a greater risk chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most commonly reported diabetes complication) and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and your kidneys aren’t equipped to get rid of it effectively.
The signs of diabetes in men
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) to generate energy. This usually happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower these levels by flushing out the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Patients with diabetes typically experience thirst and require to drink large quantities of fluids. It can be as much as four liters daily.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your condition. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
You should include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products, beans, and legumes are great choices. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sweetened drinks with sugar you consume. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medication to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in an acceptable range. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, you may require a second medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines like glucagon-like receptor antagonists for peptide-1 and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar, have kidney and cardiovascular benefits, and reduce the risk of complications. They also help with weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.