Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people every year. It occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to utilize the insulin it does produce effectively.
Exercise, diet and medications can help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It is also essential to be aware of symptoms to know what’s wrong and get treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body transforms food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or doesn’t utilize it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also referred to as sugar. Type 2 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin or aren’t able to utilize it effectively.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It can also cause damage to the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks pancreatic cells that produce insulin and destroys them. This process can take months or even years, eventually leading to the total absence of insulin.
Insulin is required by people who suffer from type 1 diabetes each day. They also need to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin, food and activity levels to keep their blood sugar within a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells take blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used to create energy.
Type 2 diabetes sufferers must treat their condition by eating a balanced diet and exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. However women are at higher risk than males.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is a warning sign for women suffering from diabetes. This is due to diabetes causing excessive sugar to accumulate in the blood and your kidneys aren’t able to remove it correctly.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually due to the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then try to lower these levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently feel thirsty and need to drink large amounts of fluids. It can be as much as 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 extended periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diabetes diet is an important aspect of managing the condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, control your weight, and reduce heart disease risk factors.
Your diet should comprise plenty of whole food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You might be advised to limit your consumption of drinks that are sweetened with sugar. These drinks usually contain plenty of sugar which can result in elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in a normal range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, such as exercise and diet to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will guide you to select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like antagonists for the peptide-1 receptor, decrease blood sugar levels and are beneficial for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, as well as decreasing the risk of developing complications. They also help with weight loss, and are available in tablet and injection forms.