Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition which affects millions of people every year. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, or fails to use the insulin that it produces effectively.
Diet, exercise and medication can aid in preventing or reducing the onset of the disease. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms to be able to tell what’s wrong and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health problem (long-lasting), which impacts the way your body converts food into energy. It occurs when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or is unable to utilize it in a proper manner.
Insulin is the hormone that helps your body absorb and use glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t make enough insulin or their bodies don’t make it work properly.
The blood sugar levels increase over time in both kinds of diabetes. This can cause issues in the feet, eyes and kidneys. It can also damage the blood vessels in your heart and brain.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. This destruction can occur over months or even years until it leads to the absence of insulin completely.
Insulin is required by people with type 1 diabetes all day. They must also monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust their insulin, food and levels of exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within an acceptable range.
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormonal substance that aids your cells in moving glucose (blood sugar) from your blood into your cells which is then utilized to generate energy.
Type 2 diabetics must exercise and eat a healthy diet. They may also have to take medication to control their blood glucose levels.
Symptoms of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects all races and ethnic groups age, genders, and ages. However, women are at a higher risk than males.
Women with diabetes have a higher chance of developing complications compared to men, including heart disease (the most common diabetes complication) and loss of vision.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for diabetes in women. This is because diabetes can cause excess sugar to accumulate in your bloodstream, and your kidneys cannot filter it out.
Men who suffer from diabetes show signs
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) for energy. This is typically because the pancreas ceases to produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. Your body will then attempt to lower the levels by flushing the excess glucose in your bloodstream via urine.
People suffering from diabetes frequently are thirsty and have to drink large amounts of fluids. This can be up to 4 liters a day.
Men may also shed weight as their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar levels stay high for long periods of time.
Diabetes diet
The development of a healthy diabetes diet is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you manage your blood sugar, manage your weight and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Your diet should consist of plenty of whole food items, including fruits whole grains, vegetables as well as beans and dairy that is low in fat. It should be low in added sugars and saturated fats (unhealthy).
You might also want to limit the amount of drinks that contain sugar you consume. These drinks are typically high in sugar which can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes medications
Your doctor may prescribe diabetes-related medications to keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels within a normal range. These medicines are usually combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet to help control your diabetes.
If your blood sugar levels aren’t being well controlled by one medicine then a second medication could be added. Your doctor will work with you to select the best medication for your specific needs and preferences.
The latest medications, including 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 reducing the chance of developing complications. They also aid in weight loss and are available in injectable and tablet forms.