Diabetes – What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects millions each year. It occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or when it’s not able to use the insulin it does have effectively.
Exercise, diet and medication can help to prevent or delay the development of the disease. It is important to understand the symptoms so you can tell whether you have a problem and seek treatment.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an ongoing (long-lasting) disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It happens when your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin or fails to properly use it.
Insulin is the hormone that aids your body absorb and utilize glucose, also known as sugar. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin, or their bodies can’t utilize it correctly.
In both forms of diabetes, the blood sugar levels get excessively high over time. This can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. It may also damage your brain and heart arteries.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction which means that your immune system attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and destroys them. This process can take many years or months until it eventually leads to an inability to produce insulin.
Insulin is required by those 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, your body is not using insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone which helps your cells remove blood sugar (glucose) out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used to create energy.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes have to manage their condition by consuming a balanced diet and regular exercise. They may also have to take medication to manage their blood sugar levels.
The signs of diabetes in women
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects people of all races, ethnicities, and genders. Women are at higher risk than men.
Women who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop complications, including heart disease (the most frequent diabetes-related complication), and vision loss.
Polydipsia is one of the warning signs for women suffering from diabetes. This is because diabetes can result in excess sugar accumulation in your bloodstream and your kidneys are not able to eliminate it.
Men with symptoms of diabetes
In diabetes the cells are unable to use blood sugar (glucose) to produce energy. This is typically because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
This can lead to high blood glucose levels. The body tries to reduce these levels by flushing the excess glucose out of your bloodstream through urine.
Diabetes patients are often thirsty, and they have to drink a lot of fluids.
Men may also lose weight since their bodies utilize muscle for energy rather than fat. This is due to the fact that their blood sugar level remains high for prolonged periods of time.
Diabetes diet
A healthy diet for diabetes can be a key part of managing the condition. It can help manage blood sugar levels, manage weight and decrease the risk factors for heart diseases.
You should include whole foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, dairy products that are low in fat products as well as legumes, beans and beans are a good choice. It should be free of saturated fats and sugars as well as added sugars (unhealthy).
You might want to limit your intake of sweetened drinks with sugar. These drinks are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase.
Diabetes medication
Your doctor may recommend diabetes medications to keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels within the normal range. These medications are usually combined with changes to your lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, to manage the condition.
If your blood sugar is not being controlled by one medication, you might require a second medication. Your doctor can help you select the right medicine to suit your preferences and needs.
Newer medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors lower blood sugar levels, offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits and reduce the risk of complications. They can also be beneficial for weight loss and come in both tablets and injections.