Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease which affects millions of people every year. It happens when your body isn’t producing enough insulin or it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
The good news is that it can be treated and prevented or delayed by diet, exercise and medications. It is also essential to be aware of the symptoms so you can tell whether something is wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or isn’t able to use it as well as it should.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body to absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. Type 2 diabetics aren’t producing enough insulin or cannot use it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels become excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also cause damage to your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This destruction can occur over several months or even years, eventually resulting in a complete lack 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 insulin, food, and activity levels to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes the body isn’t producing insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood 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 have to take medication to control their blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races, ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women with diabetes are more prone to experience complications, such as heart disease (the most common diabetes-related complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is a sign of warning for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can create excess sugar in your bloodstream and kidneys are unable to filter it out.
The signs of diabetes in men
In diabetes it is when cells are unable make use of blood sugar (glucose) to generate energy. This is typically because the pancreas produces insufficient insulin.
This can result in high blood glucose levels. Your body then tries to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose from your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are frequently thirsty, and need to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also experience weight loss since their bodies break down muscle for energy, instead of fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes is an important part of managing your diabetes. It can help you manage your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and lower the risk of developing heart disease.
It is important to include whole foods in your diet, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products, beans, and legumes are a good choice. It should be free of saturated (unhealthy) fats and added sugars.
You may need to limit your consumption of drinks sweetened with sugar. These drinks are typically high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor might prescribe diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within an acceptable range. These medications are usually combined with lifestyle changes, like eating habits and physical activity to manage diabetes.
If your blood sugar is not being managed well with one medicine, you may need to take a different medication. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best medication for your requirements and preferences.
Newer medications such as glucagon-like receptor agonists for peptide-1 as well as sodium-glucose COtransporter-2 inhibitors decrease blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They’re also helpful for weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.