Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people each year. It occurs because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or utilize the insulin it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can all help in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease. It is also essential to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health issue (long-lasting) that impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb and utilize sugar, which is called glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it in a proper way.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels become too high in 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 condition which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The destruction can happen over many months or even years and eventually lead to the complete absence of insulin.
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin 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 the body isn’t functioning as insulin should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells, which is then used as energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people from all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are more at risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and the frequency of urination, which is known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in your blood and the kidneys aren’t able eliminate it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to make use of blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This usually happens because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes are usually thirsty, and they need to drink lots of fluids.
The men may also lose weight because their bodies utilize muscles to generate energy, not fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Developing a healthy diabetes diet is a crucial aspect of managing your condition. It can help regulate blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You may also need to limit the amount of sugar-sweetened drinks you consume. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor might recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and diet to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to add a second medication. Your doctor will work with you to choose the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss, and they come in both tablets and injections.