Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It is caused when the body fails to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it has effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can help prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can identify whether there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters 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 the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it work properly.
In both types of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause issues with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It could also harm 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 cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take months or even years until it eventually leads to the total absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also have to keep track of their blood glucose levels and adjust food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes your body may not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells get blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers need to treat their diabetes by consuming a balanced diet and exercise. They may also need to take medications to control their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups and ages as well as genders. Women are at greater risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, like heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early warning signs of women suffering from diabetes is increased thirst and urine, a condition known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot remove it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes, cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Your body attempts to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
People with diabetes frequently have a thirsty feeling and must drink large amounts of fluids, up to four liters per day.
Men also may shed weight as their bodies make use of muscles for energy instead of fat. This is due to their blood sugar levels remain high for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a key element in managing your diabetes. It can help you control blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should be low in saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medication to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within the normal range. These medications are typically used with lifestyle changes like eating habits and exercise to help you manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t managed by one medication it is possible that a different medicine will be added. Your doctor will assist you determine the most appropriate medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medicines, such as sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and provide benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the risk of complications. They also aid in weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.