Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that is affecting millions of people each year. It happens when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that it has effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. It is also important to know the symptoms, so you can tell whether you are suffering from a condition and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects how your body converts food into energy. It happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or is unable to use it correctly.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People suffering from type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high in time. This can cause problems with your eyes, feet and kidneys. It can also damage the heart and brain arteries as well as your brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. The process of destruction can last for many years or months before eventually resulting in the complete absence of insulin.
People suffering from type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. They also must monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their food, insulin and activity levels in order to keep their blood sugar within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t make use of insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone that assists your cells to remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells so that it can be used for energy.
Type 2 diabetics need to exercise and eat a balanced diet. They may also have to take medications to control their blood glucose levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects all races and ethnicities as well as ages and genders. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications than men, including heart disease (the most frequent complication of diabetes) and loss of vision.
One of the early signs of diabetes in women is a higher thirst and increased urinary frequency, also known as polydipsia. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to build up in your blood and kidneys can’t remove it.
Men with diabetes Men: Symptoms
Diabetes is a condition where cells are unable use glucose (blood sugar) as energy source. This is usually because the pancreas is producing too little insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body then attempts to reduce these levels by flushing excess glucose out of your bloodstream via urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink lots of fluids.
Men can also experience weight loss as their muscles are broken down by their bodies for energy, instead of fat. This is because their blood sugar levels stay elevated for long periods.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is a vital aspect of managing your diabetes. It can help manage blood sugar levels control weight and reduce the risk factors for heart diseases.
Your diet should include plenty of whole food items, including fruits vegetables, whole grains as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be free of added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You may need to limit your consumption of beverages sweetened with sugar. These drinks are often packed with sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to manage your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled on one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor can help you pick the best medication for 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 and have benefits for the kidneys and cardiovascular system, while decreasing the chance of developing complications. They are also useful for weight loss and are available in tablet and injection forms.