Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that is affecting millions of people each year. It is caused because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to make use of the insulin it has effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and can be prevented or delayed with diet, exercise and medication. It is important to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) health issue that affects how your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas stops making enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. Type 2 diabetics do not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are too high over time. This can cause problems with your eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also cause damage to coronary arteries and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Type 1 diabetics must take insulin each 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 in an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body may not make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
Signs of women having diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects all races as well as ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to experience complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
One early warning sign of women with diabetes is a higher thirst and increased urination, called polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excess sugar to build up in the bloodstream and your kidneys aren’t equipped to eliminate it properly.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently experience thirst and require to drink large amounts of fluids, up to 4 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 levels stay high for extended periods.
Diabetes diet
A balanced diet for diabetes can be an essential part of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Include whole foods in your diet, like 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 might need to limit your consumption of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks typically contain a lot of sugar that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetic medications to help keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within normal levels. These medications are typically combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and exercise to help manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will assist you to choose the most appropriate medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, like 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, as well as reducing the risk of complications. They are also beneficial for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.