Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a terribly debilitating disease that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also essential to recognize the signs so you can tell if there is a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting) that alters how your body converts food into energy. It happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or fails to use it as effectively as it should.
Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells absorb and use sugar, which is known as glucose. People suffering from type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies aren’t able to make it in a proper way.
The blood sugar levels increase as time passes in both types of diabetes. This can lead to problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also damage the arteries in your heart and brain.
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. This destruction can occur over months or even years, eventually resulting in an absence of insulin.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their the levels of insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood glucose within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the movement of glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells where it is used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes must treat their condition with a healthy diet and regular exercise. They may also need to take medicine to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
One of the early signs of women with diabetes is a rise in thirst and urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes causes excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood, and your kidneys don’t have the capacity to get rid of it correctly.
Diabetes in men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy. This is typically due to the fact that the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. The body then attempts to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream through urine.
Patients with diabetes typically are thirsty and have to drink large quantities of fluids, up to four liters daily.
Men can also experience weight loss as their bodies break down muscle for energy instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels remain high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
Making a balanced diabetes diet is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, control your weight, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
You should include whole food items in your diet, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, low-fat dairy products such as beans, legumes, and beans are good choices. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may want to limit your intake of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks typically contain high levels of sugar in them that can cause high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are often combined with lifestyle changes, like diet and physical activity, to help manage the condition.
If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled with one medication, you may require a second medication. Your doctor will guide you to choose the best medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, like sodium-glucose -cotransporter-2 inhibitors, and glucagon antagonists of the peptide-1 receptor, reduce blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while reducing the risk of developing complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.